Nigeria is on the brink of a nationwide fuel scarcity as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government. The association is demanding the immediate payment of over N100 billion in bridging claims owed to its members. Failure to meet this demand could result in a complete withdrawal of services, plunging the country into a fuel crisis.
The Debt Crisis: A Ticking Time Bomb
The Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, Yahaya Alhasan, revealed during a press conference in Abuja that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has failed to clear the N100 billion debt owed to petrol marketers. This debt stems from bridging claims, which are payments made to marketers for transporting petroleum products across the country.
Alhasan expressed frustration over the government’s failure to fulfill its promise to settle the debt within 40 days, a commitment made in the presence of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi.
Northern Depots Grounded
The non-payment has had a devastating impact on IPMAN members, particularly in the northern region. Depots in Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri have been completely grounded due to the financial strain. Many marketers have been forced to close their businesses, retrench staff, and even face bank takeovers of their properties.
IPMAN’s Grievances
IPMAN has also raised concerns over what it describes as “abnormal levies” imposed by the NMDPRA. These include a 5 percent commission on the sale of petrol station outlets and other arbitrary charges during renovations.
“When has the NMDPRA turned itself into a real estate agency, collecting a commission on the sale of retail petrol outlets?” Alhasan questioned. He described these levies as anti-developmental and unconstitutional, calling for their immediate suspension.
The Ultimatum: Seven Days to Act
IPMAN has given the NMDPRA a seven-day ultimatum to clear the debt or face a nationwide withdrawal of services. The association has also vowed to collaborate with sister organizations, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), to enforce the payment of their claims.
“We will not hesitate to take immediate action if our demands are not met, beginning Monday, February 24, 2025,” the communiqué reads.
Appeal to the Federal Government
IPMAN has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the dispute, warning that failure to address the issue could lead to severe consequences for the Nigerian economy. The association has urged its members to remain resolute and law-abiding while awaiting a resolution.
A Broken Promise
This crisis comes despite the federal government’s promise in January 2025 to clear the N100 billion debt. The failure to fulfill this commitment has left IPMAN members in financial ruin, with many losing their livelihoods.
A Looming Crisis
As the seven-day ultimatum ticks away, Nigeria faces the very real possibility of a nationwide fuel scarcity. The ball is now in the government’s court to avert this crisis by addressing IPMAN’s demands promptly.
Will the federal government act in time, or will Nigerians bear the brunt of another fuel shortage? Only time will tell.