Nigeria may soon experience another round of fuel scarcity as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike due to the non-payment of bridging claims amounting to N100 billion.
The association issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, warning that failure to settle the outstanding debt could lead to severe disruptions in fuel supply across the country.
Presenting a communique on behalf of IPMAN, Yahaya Alhassan, Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, stated that nine major depots in Northern Nigeria—including those in Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri—have been completely grounded due to the prolonged debt.
Alhassan explained that the unpaid claims belong to petroleum marketers, as deductions were made at the point of payment for fuel products to cover bridging allowances. He lamented the dire consequences of the delayed payments, which have resulted in the closure of businesses, job losses, financial distress, and even deaths among IPMAN members.
IPMAN has called on the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to urgently intervene in the dispute between Depot Chairmen and the NMDPRA to prevent a total collapse of fuel distribution in Nigeria. “If our demands are not met by Monday, February 24, 2025, we will have no choice but to take immediate action,” Alhassan warned.
In addition to the unpaid bridging claims, IPMAN has criticized the NMDPRA for imposing what it describes as “abnormal levies” on petroleum marketers. One of the most controversial charges is a 5% commission on the sale of petrol station outlets, a practice that the association claims is unjustified.
“When did the NMDPRA become a real estate agency, collecting commissions on retail petrol outlets?” Alhassan questioned. He also pointed out that IPMAN members, who frequently renovate their stations to meet international standards, are being forced to pay additional levies, making it even harder to operate in the sector. “These charges are not only anti-developmental but also unconstitutional. We demand their immediate suspension,” he declared.
IPMAN has signaled its intention to escalate the situation by collaborating with sister organizations, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).
Since many IPMAN members own petroleum tankers, Alhassan warned that they may be forced to withdraw their trucks from loading fuel, which could trigger a nationwide fuel crisis if the government fails to address their demands.
“As responsible stakeholders in the petroleum industry, we have exercised patience. However, if the NMDPRA continues to ignore our demands, we will take collective action to enforce the payment of our bridging and NTA claims,” he concluded.
With a potential fuel scarcity on the horizon, Nigerians may soon face long queues at filling stations unless urgent action is taken to resolve the ongoing dispute.
