IPMAN Western Zone to shut down operations over Dangote’s planned petrol distribution

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Western Zone, has unanimously resolved to give full solidarity support to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers in their struggle against the threat to the job security of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers and against the planned monopoly of the entire value chain of the Downstream Sector of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry.

In a statement released on Saturday and signed by the Chairman, Basorun Joseph Oyewole Akanni said, the leadership of IPMAN in the Southwest has directed its members to shut down operations from Monday, September 8, in protest against the indecent monopoly of MRS Energy Ltd and Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company in the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

It was resolved that the move by Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company to enter the petrol distribution chain poses a serious threat to the survival of IPMAN members’ businesses.

It was noted with grave concerns that Petroleum Truck Drivers and motor boys will be rendered jobless, while thousands of IPMAN members’ investments would be crippled.

More importantly such a move also negates the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which prohibits a company refining crude oil from directly engaging in product distribution.

“This is a collective decision by all zonal council members, officers, depot chairmen and secretaries. No member must open their stations for operations from Monday.

“We therefore call on the Federal Government to rise to the call of IPMAN and other stakeholders to uphold the laws under which PIA was expected to operate,” the statement read. 

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE