Fuel prices in Nigeria have skyrocketed to N2,500 as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) shuts down petrol stations in response to escalating costs. Explore the implications of this crisis.
In Akwa Ibom State, inter- and intra-city transportation costs have increased by more than 200% as a result of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) closing gas stations.
With effect from Tuesday, the increase has caused the price of fuel to climb to between N2,000 and N2,500 per litre.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) seized trucks carrying gasoline four months ago, and IPMAN decided to protest. This led to the shutdown, according to reports from LEADERSHIP.
Comrade Francis Udoyen, the IPMAN Coordinating Committee Chairman, and Secretary Prince Ekom Idemudo attested to the union’s members’ united demand for the trucks’ release.
Residents are deeply concerned about the sharp increase in transportation prices, which has an impact on commuters and businesses that depend on transportation.
A statement titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Services Over Confiscation of PMS – Loaded Trucks by JTF Personnel” contained the order for the members to disband.
The text says, “You are hereby directed to close your filling stations from the public with effect from Tuesday, September 24, 2024, as part of our obligation to stand for each other in season and off seasons, equally drawing strength from the resolution taken at the last emergency congress over members’ trucks in the custody of the JTF operatives for four months now.”
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“Our national office has approved this action, and appropriate consequences will be applied to non-compliance.”
Comrade Sam Osung, the state chairman of the Natural Oil and Gas Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), responded to the incident by calling IPMAN’s actions illegal and criticizing the government for not employing the heavy hand to punish those who are allegedly committing crimes in the industry.
Osung said that more than four months ago, members of Operation Delta Safe (ODS), under the command of the 2 Brigade, apprehended 44 gasoline drums and two PMS trucks from six filling stations in the Mbo local government area’s Ibaka.
He clarified, saying, “There were accusations that the filling stations were involved in the smuggling of petroleum products.
Following a press conference where they demanded the trucks’ immediate release, IPMAN officials closed their filling stations and staged a protest in Oron LGA.
“The ODS, under Army leadership, determined that the owners ought to appear in court if they believed themselves to be innocent. We are aware that smuggling is an act of economic sabotage, and a marketer who is innocent ought to have appeared in court to establish his innocence.
Noting that the marketers had employed Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTDs) to prevent petroleum goods from entering Akwa Ibom since last Monday, he continued, saying that the marketers were attempting to intimidate the Army into releasing their trucks without providing proof of their innocence.
After being notified, the army wants to free the detained trucks and take them to their owners. They also want the paperwork allowing them to prevent tankers from entering any state.
“The government ought to speak up about this since it is aware of it and no one is addressing it. He emphasized that the government must function as the government.
They had previously claimed that I was the cause of their problems as I was aware of their knowledge, their contacts, and their constitutionally guaranteed rights. After they united, the governor dismissed me.
“That did not make the issue go away. Former governor Umo Eno aide Osung stated, “I wish the government could address the matter based on the rights and privileges of everyone who was involved; the government was more interested in making me the scapegoat.”
