IPMAN refutes report on purported nationwide strike

The Independent Petroleum Marketers
Association of Nigeria (IPMAN)  has  debunked reports that some of its
members had threatened to embarked on nation-wide strike over perceived
imbalance in the sharing and distribution of petroleum products to marketers.

This
is contained in a statement issued at the weekend by Mike Osatuyi, the National
Operations Controller of IPMAN and made available to newsmen in Lagos that “IPMAN
has not given any ultimatum om impending strike’’.

Osatuyi said that the association informed that some
pocket marketers who were not members of IPMAN are mis-leading the general
public over IPMAN intention to embark on nation-wide strike which was false.

According to him, our attention has been drew to a
media briefying on AIT by some pocket marketers parading themselves as IPMAN
members, calling for nationwide strike over petroleum product sharing formular.

“`The
national body did not plan any strike action.

“We,
the national body of the union is not planning to embark on any strike, because
we don’t have any issues with the government whatsoever. I appeal to Nigerians
and all independent marketers to go ahead with their normal business and avoid
creating panic buying in the society,” he said.

He lauded the leadership of NNPC over petroleum distribution formular,
adding that IPMAN had not been anyway slighted in the present sharing and
distribution formula.

“Independent marketers were given the opportunity to buy products at
government approved ex-depot price which enable us sell at government approved
pump price of N86.50 per litre.

Osatuyi commended NNPC over petrol intervention scheme
given to marketers to argument distribution, urging government to make the
product available to marketers .

He commended the steps taken by President Muhammadu
Buhari to reposition the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for
greater efficiency.

He said that the measures inspire hope and
confidence in the future of the nation.
The IPMAN operations controller applauded Dr Ibe Kachikwu, `a renowned oil
industry expert with the needed global exposure, competence and integrity as
Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC.

He said it was important for all IPMAN members to show-case what government
was doing about special intervention petrol supply to marketers which came to
stations at no extra cost.

According to him, 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 sustainable.

Osatuyi, however, urged NNPC/PPMC to ensure sustainability of the product so
that marketers could sell at approved price of N86.50 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.

It will recalled that some group who identified
themselves as IPMAN members on Friday, December 15 issued a 14-day ultimatum to
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to regularise the present
formula or risk stoppage of operations.