There are strikes to avert disaster within the downstream sector of the petroleum trade because the Unbiased Petroleum Entrepreneurs Affiliation of Nigeria (IPMAN) says the Federal Authorities has promised to pay the excellent bridging claims and resolve different points quickly.
This comes just a few days after IPMAN had threatened to withdraw its companies if the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fails to pay the excellent N100 billion bridging claims owed entrepreneurs.
In line with a press release issued by the Nationwide Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Ukadike Chinedu, the affiliation’s Nationwide President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, made this recognized on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Abuja.
Maiandi stated that the NMDPRA had expressed their dedication to addressing the pending claims and different points.
Encourages members in opposition to disruptions
The IPMAN President stated, ”We now have been in communication with the NMDPRA and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Assets. They’ve expressed their dedication to addressing these pending claims and different points.
”Within the meantime, we kindly implore all members to stay calm and affected person as we work in direction of securing the mandatory approvals and funds.
”We perceive the significance of those claims to you and respect your understanding throughout this course of.
”We additionally encourage all members to chorus from any actions that will disrupt our collective efforts, together with strike actions.
”Our upcoming official assembly with the NMDPRA will probably be a important alternative to debate these issues additional, and your participation will probably be invaluable,”
What it is best to know
Recall that on Monday, February 24, 2025, IPMAN had issued a 7-day ultimatum to the NMDPRA to pay the bridging claims owed entrepreneurs amounting to N100 billion or face an industrial motion.
- The affiliation threatened to withdraw companies if the quantity was not paid to them earlier than the deadline.
- This transfer follows the NMDPRA’s failure to clear the debt, regardless of guarantees made 40 days in the past within the presence of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. If unresolved, the state of affairs might result in a nationwide shortage of Premium Motor Spirit nationwide.
Bridging claims characterize the price of transporting gas from the previous Pipelines and Merchandise Advertising Firm depots to authorised zones to make sure a uniform pump worth throughout the nation.
- The Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Discussion board, Yahaya Alhasan, throughout a press convention in Abuja learn a communique the place he expressed frustration over the NMDPRA’s failure to settle the bridging claims, regardless of repeated assurances.
- The claims, which date again to 2024, had been deducted from entrepreneurs’ funds for merchandise to settle bridging allowances.
Alhasan stated, “If NMDPRA doesn’t pay our cash inside seven days, we’re going to withdraw our companies throughout the nation.
“We’re extraordinarily pissed off that one yr after our final demand as a discussion board, requesting the cost of over N100 billion owed to our members in bridging and NTA claims by the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the administration of the NMDPRA has intentionally ignored our request, even after making clear guarantees to pay us.
“A type of guarantees was made by the NMDPRA on the stakeholders’ assembly convened on the eve of the final strike motion declared by NARTO. At that stakeholders’ assembly, the Nigerian Affiliation of Street Transport House owners listed this similar IPMAN bridging declare as a part of their calls for earlier than the strike motion could be referred to as off.”
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