Members of Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Anambra state have threatened to shutdown operations following a N13.6million debt being owed one of them by Transport Company of Anambra State (TRACAS), since 2017.
The body had on August 4, 2020, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government to pay off the debt, and also address other sundry issues raised by the association.
Addressing newsmen on Sunday, Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot, Chinedu Anayaso said the shutdown, which would commence August 25, would be total until all conditions were met.
He said, “The strike is in solidarity with Siluch Oil and Gas Limited, an IPMAN member, being owed N13.6 million for petroleum products it supplied to Transport Company of Anambra State (TRACAS), since 2017.
“Apart from the debt payment, his members were resisting any form of tax/levy increase by the government, as the economy did not currently support such additional burden on businesses.
“We are counting days, we have not seen anything that shows that the state government is treating our letter to them with the seriousness it deserves.
“We expect that they pay the young man his money, withdraw all cases against our members for refusing to pay the levies we did not agree on, and revert to the annual unified levy we reached an agreement on.
“The action will be total because IPMAN, NUPENG and Petrol Tanker Drivers are together in the plan. Anyone who violate the order will pay a fine of N500, 000.”
Also speaking, Uche Okoye, Managing Director of Siluch Oil and Gas, said his company was having smooth business relationship with TRACAS until the second term campaign of Gov. Willie Obiano, when they could not pay for four months.
Okoye said he had written and visited TRACAS and the transport ministry several times over the debt, but regretted that they had refused to pay him.
He noted with regrets that the money owed him was a loan secured from the bank for which he had been paying interests without making use of.
“The debt is seriously affecting me because it is a loan I obtained from bank.
“I have more than 30 workers, and things are getting more difficult by the day due to TRACAS’ indebtedness to my company.
“Initially, I had no plans of laying off workers even with the current economic hardship in the country, but as it is, I am somehow working on a very tight rope.
When contacted, Managing Director of TRACAS, Mrs Edith Madukasi said she was informed on assumption of duties in the company that Siluch was owed some money by the company, but declined further comment, insisting it was her commissioner that will speak on the matter.
Reacting, Commissioner for Transport, Afam Mbanefo said he had been briefed on the debt and was already working on it, assuring that every stakeholder would receive what was due to them.
He said, “I have looked at the transactions of this office since I assumed office and this debt amounting to N13.57 million was presented, and IPMAN leadership had also visited me on the same matter.
“I did a review with TRACAS and requested for a lot more information about the procurement procedures, gathered enough relevant documents and have gone ahead to raise a memo to the governor.
“I understand that the particular marketer is still doing business with the state government to keep his business running while we resolve the issue.
“My initial question was how on earth was he supplying diesel to the level that it got to that amount, and he did not question how he would be paid.
“I sent the memo mid July, and I am sure it will be under review by now.”
Mbanefo said his ministry was talking with IPMAN to ensure that there was no breakdown of their services.
He said that Anambra had a good relationship with IPMAN and would do all that it could to ensure that the marketer recovered his money; and the government maintained the good relationship with the association.
