FROM CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ENUGU
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has concluded plans to ensure fuel pump integrity in petrol stations by checking all forms of cheating.
The Chairman, IPMAN, Enugu Unit, Chief Chinedu Anyaso, disclosed this on Sunday shortly after the union’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, held in Enugu.
The unit covers independent petroleum marketers in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, as well as those in parts of Abia, Imo, Kogi and Cross River States.
Anyaso said the need to maintain optimal integrity of fuel pumps by IPMAN members was unanimously agreed upon in order to ensure that Nigerians get value for money.
He noted that the association had vowed to maintain its earned reputation of service and product excellence, adding that: “IPMAN resolved to set-up a taskforce to ensure compliance to fuel pump integrity”.
According to him, the new task force will be inaugurated in September and it will comprise a team for each state under the unit.
“In order to sanitise the system and ensure that the reputation of IPMAN and our members fuel stations are maintained; members during the AGM unanimously agreed that fuel pump cheating and malpractice must stop.
“It will set up a daily mandate taskforce soon, while members collectively agreed on a heavy monetary fine, as well as sanction for any defaulting fuel station,” he said.
He noted that the association had resolved to be firm in dealing with the menace through its own internal disciplinary mechanism; just as it eradicated stocking bad fuel.
The chairman said IPMAN, Enugu Unit also appreciated the strides of various governors and state governments on the development, especially road and security infrastructure in the unit’s states of coverage.
“We are encouraged by governors commitment to continue to create a conducive business environment and ensure a smooth road corridor for fuel products to get to the nooks and crannies of the unit,” he said.
Anyaso noted that the members unanimously agreed that they would write Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State on the issue of internally generated revenue of fuel stations.
“We commend him for the discussion so far; however, we are calling on those involved to come to a roundtable and resolve their differences for the benefit of all,” he said.
The chairman said the members also resolved to write to Governor Soludo on the N900 million debt owed IPMAN members who supplied diesel for the running of streetlights.
“The Anambra State government’s debt has been recurring for the past one year notwithstanding three times official letters and direct appeals to the governor and functionaries of the state concerned. Till now, nothing has been done.
“We are taking the diplomatic route since we do not want to direct our members to go on strike or stop the sale of fuel products, which will compound the suffering and hardship of ordinary citizens.
“If IPMAN members go on strike, it is clear that a litre of fuel might go up to N3,000, as well as other negative impact.
“However, we want the state government to listen to our appeal and the pathetic situation of IPMAN members who had made the supply and currently indebted to financial institutions.
“It is on record that within some months, eight of our owed members had died, as a fallout of the stress and shock they get from financial institutions that want them to repay their loans in an aggressive manner.
“Some of them, their stations had been taken over by the financial institutions, some closed already and many laid off their staff due to financial incapacitation,” he said.
The chairman noted that members deliberated on welfare issues, better ways of lifting petrol products and how to participate in the Dangote Direct Sales and Delivery Scheme, as well as JEZCO Oil and Gas Limited’s offer to assist members.
The meeting featured presentations from the Federal Internal Revenue Service, FIRS, on how to file tax returns electronically and TradeGrid Limited on ways that the firm can facilitate petroleum products lifting and installation of solar power in fuel stations among others.
The AGM was attended by no fewer than 621 IPMAN members drawn across the association’s coverage states and areas.
