Fuel Scarcity Looms As IPMAN Gives 7-day Ultimatum Over N100bn Bridging Claims
A nationwide fuel scarcity is imminent in Nigeria as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over the non-payment of bridging claims totaling N100 billion.
In a statement released on Monday, IPMAN gave the NMDPRA a final warning to settle the claims within seven days, or risk a nationwide disruption of fuel distribution. The association stated that despite promises made by the NMDPRA during a stakeholders meeting over a year ago, the claims have remained unpaid.
Yahaya Alhassan, Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, addressed the media in Abuja, outlining the frustration of members over the unpaid debts. He said that if the NMDPRA does not settle the claims by the end of the seven-day period, IPMAN will withdraw its tankers from loading and distributing petroleum products, which will severely impact fuel availability across the country.
The debt stems from bridging claims—funds deducted from marketers at the time of payment for petroleum products to cover transportation costs. Despite repeated assurances from the NMDPRA to settle the claims within 40 days, those promises have remained unfulfilled, and months have passed without payment.
The northern depots, including those in Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri, are said to be completely grounded due to the lack of payment.
IPMAN highlighted the severe consequences of the NMDPRA’s failure to settle the claims, including the deaths of members, the closure of businesses, and the takeover of members’ premises by commercial banks. Additionally, the association criticized the imposition of what they termed “abnormal levies” by the NMDPRA, such as a five percent commission on the sale of any petrol station and unreasonable charges for renovating outlets.
The association expressed that these levies are unconstitutional and demanded their immediate suspension.
With no resolution in sight, IPMAN has decided to collaborate with other organizations like the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to take collective action if the demands are not met. The association also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing disputes with the NMDPRA.
The ultimatum stands: unless the bridging claims are settled by February 24, 2025, IPMAN will take immediate action to disrupt fuel distribution across the country.
