By Ikemefuna Asika, Awka
Petroleum marketers in Anambra State have declared their readiness to shutdown operations indefinitely following the expiration of one month ultimatum issued to the State in solidarity with their members who are owed over N900 million for supplying diesel for streetlight generators.
The marketers under the aegis of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) had met on April 24 and decided that they would embark on a total shutdown of operations without further notice if their demands were not met by the Anambra government.
Other demands of IPMAN included withdrawal of all litigations against their members based on multiple taxation as well as the demolition of part of the property of Chris Tee Nigeria limited, a marketer at Trans-Nkissi phase 1 along Onitsha-Otuocha road.
The strike was earlier shelved on the intervention Ken Maduako, a patron of the association; Golden Iloh, member of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
IPMAN had pleaded with Soludo to pay the debt amounting to N900,664,805.00 for diesel supplied for the months of March and April 2022 to no avail.
A marketer who pleaded anonymity said “Our members are dying because of these debts, and the banks are chasing them around to repay the loans given to them to do this business,” it said.
Another marketer who also pleaded anonymity said the challenges had not been addressed by the state government as nobody had been paid.
The source said they were waiting for directive by the leadership of Enugu Depot IPMAN for further instructions on the Industrial action.
It will be recalled that IPMAN had issued an ultimatum to Anambra State government on April 24th 2024 after their meeting in Awka to clear the debts owed their members amongst other demands, failing which they will embark on indefinite strike.
