An impending nationwide fuel shortage is looming as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to withdraw services over the government’s failure to pay outstanding bridging claims amounting to N100 billion.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, February 24, 2025, the Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, Yahaya Alhasan, expressed frustration over the non-payment by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), despite promises made 40 days ago in the presence of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Alhasan revealed that several northern depots, including those in Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri, have been completely grounded due to the prolonged debt crisis.
“If NMDPRA doesn’t pay our money within seven days, we are going to withdraw our services across the nation,” Alhasan warned.
IPMAN also condemned the NMDPRA’s imposition of a 5% levy on petroleum marketers, describing it as unconstitutional and detrimental to business operations.
The association called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately, warning that failure to meet their demands by February 24, 2025, would result in a nationwide disruption of petroleum supply.
