Nigerians May Face Fuel Shortages in Coming Days
Nigeria may soon experience a nationwide fuel scarcity as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike due to the non-payment of bridging claims amounting to N100 billion. The association issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), demanding the immediate settlement of these unpaid claims.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, IPMAN leadership stated that failure to meet their demands would force them to halt fuel distribution across the country, which could lead to severe disruptions in fuel availability.
Why Are Petroleum Marketers Going on Strike?
According to IPMAN’s Chairman of the Depot Chairmen Forum, Yahaya Alhassan, nine major depots in Northern Nigeria have been completely shut down due to the lingering debt crisis. The affected depots include:
- Jos Depot
- Gusau Depot
- Minna Depot
- Suleja Depot
- Kaduna Depot
- Kano Depot
- Gombe Depot
- Yola Depot
- Maiduguri Depot
The bridging claims in question are funds deducted from marketers at the point of product payment to cover transportation and other operational costs. However, the marketers have yet to receive these payments, which has caused severe financial strain on their businesses.
The Human and Economic Impact
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Alhassan revealed that the non-payment of these claims has had devastating effects on IPMAN members, leading to:
- Deaths of some marketers due to financial distress.
- Closure of many businesses within the petroleum marketing sector.
- Mass layoffs of workers, worsening Nigeria’s unemployment crisis.
- Seizure of business properties by commercial banks due to unpaid loans.
He further called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and resolve the ongoing dispute between IPMAN and the NMDPRA before the fuel scarcity situation escalates further.
Allegations of Unlawful Levies by NMDPRA
Apart from the unpaid debts, IPMAN also accused the NMDPRA of imposing unreasonable levies, which they claim are unconstitutional and stifling their businesses. Among the controversial levies mentioned are:
- A 5% Commission on Petrol Station Sales – IPMAN criticized the regulatory authority for acting like real estate agents by demanding a cut from the sale of any petrol outlet in Nigeria.
- Renovation Levies – The association decried the imposition of excessive fees whenever they attempt to upgrade their retail outlets to meet international standards.
- Other Bizarre Fees – IPMAN insisted that numerous unexplained charges have made it increasingly difficult for marketers to operate profitably.
IPMAN’s Next Steps: A Nationwide Shutdown?
In response to the government’s refusal to pay the outstanding claims, IPMAN has announced plans to collaborate with other key stakeholders in the petroleum sector, including:
- Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD)
- National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO)
This alliance could result in a large-scale disruption of fuel distribution, as IPMAN members own a significant number of petroleum tankers. If tankers are withdrawn from loading petroleum products, fuel shortages are likely to worsen across Nigeria.
“We have given the NMDPRA ample time to settle our claims, but since they continue to ignore us, we have no choice but to take drastic measures. We will be forced to stop loading fuel until we receive our rightful payments,” Alhassan warned.
What This Means for Nigerians
If the strike proceeds as planned, Nigerians should brace for:
- Long fuel queues at filling stations.
- Increased transportation costs as fuel prices surge.
- Higher inflation rates, affecting food prices and other essential goods.
- Potential blackouts in areas relying on fuel-powered generators.
Final Thoughts: Will the Government Act in Time?
With Nigeria’s fragile economy already struggling under high inflation and foreign exchange volatility, a nationwide fuel shortage could have dire consequences. The ball is now in the government’s court to address IPMAN’s demands and prevent further disruptions.
As the deadline looms, all eyes are on the NMDPRA and the Tinubu administration to see if they will act swiftly to prevent the looming crisis. Failure to resolve the issue could plunge the country into yet another round of fuel scarcity, bringing economic and social hardship to millions of Nigerians.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds.
