The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has made it clear that its members have not issued any threat to go on a nation-wide strike.
“Our attention has been drawn to a news briefing on AIT by some pocket of marketers parading themselves as IPMAN members, calling for nationwide strike over petroleum product sharing formula. The national body did not plan any strike action.”
In a statement in Lagos by the National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, the Association said that those who made the threat to embark on strike are some marketers, who were not members of IPMAN.
“We, the national body of the union are not planning to embark on any strike, because we don’t have any issues with the government whatsoever. We appeal to Nigerians and all independent marketers to go ahead with their normal business and avoid creating panic buying in the society.”
Osatuyi commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation over petrol intervention scheme given to marketers to augment distribution, calling on the government to make the product available to marketers.
The operations controller commended the steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the NNPC for greater efficiency, adding that the measures inspired hope and confidence in the future of the nation.
The IPMAN operations controller applauded to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC and Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, whom he described as a renowned oil industry expert with the needed global exposure, competence and integrity.
He said that it is important for all IPMAN members to reciprocate the government special intervention petrol supply to marketers, saying that the Federal Government, through NNPC/PPMC, should be lauded for these special schemes.
“The only way to ensure total eradication of queues in the country is when this intervention of petrol supply is sustained,” he said.
Osatuyi, however, advised NNPC/PPMC to ensure sustainability of the product so that marketers could sell at approved price of N86.50k per litre.
He said the commitment of government in this regard was a clear demonstration of its readiness to partner with IPMAN on effective fuel distribution. [myad]
