The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Oron Chapter, has threatened to shutdown its products’ supply outlets if the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe of the Nigerian military, operating in the area, does not return petroleum to their members, and unseal their outlets. Their seven days’ ultimatum expires Friday, 31 May.
In their protest of Friday, May 24, IPMAN condemned the closure of six of their members’ fuel outlets in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area,
by the JTF, on the allegations that IPMAN members were engaging in smuggling the product out of the country.
Earlier at a press conference in Oron Town, same May 24, IPMAN said that the value of the seized product was “over N14 million”, and expressed disappointment and frustration with the military’s actions, which they said have caused untold hardship to over 40,000 people in the Ibaka-Effiat communities.
IPMAN’s Chairman in charge of the five local government areas of Oro Nation, Deacon Otuakak Emenyi, said that on Saturday, May 18, 2024, some military personnel invaded filling stations in Ibaka, impounding 44 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), two drums of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and two trucks of PMS, each containing 45,000 litres.
Emenyi lamented that the action of the military has caused immense suffering to the people of Ibaka and Effiat, who rely on fuel for their livelihood, and accused the military of abandoning their constitutional obligations to secure the area and instead were harassing innocent petroleum marketers.
The association also questioned the timing of the military operation, which coincided with the kidnapping of the Paramount Ruler of the area, Ogwong Okon Asukwo Abang, and the shooting of his wife, Obonganwan Hannah Okon Abang.
“The total value of the impounded products is estimated at over N14 million,” he said, while adding that if the two trucks seized were added, Delta Safe owes them over N80 million worth of products and equipment.
“IPMAN is very disappointed that military personnel molested our members in a day and area where kidnappers operated successfully and made away with the Paramount Ruler of the area, His Royal Majesty Ogwong Okon Asukwo Abang, in his palace at Etisong Ebughu.
“They didn’t only seize the products, but also sealed off many petrol stations at Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area. This singular action is totally unacceptable and strange to the regulation guidelines, as it is the responsibility of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority to seal erring operators.
“It is a display of misplaced priority, which has thrown the people of Ibaka and its environs into a pool of abyss restlessness, as businesses have collapsed within the few days of fuel stations not being opened to customers to procure fuel and power their businesses.
“Petroleum marketers are legitimate business owners and taxpayers; we are law-abiding citizens. As responsible citizens, we should not be intimidated by the military personnel or any agencies who also use fuel for patrol vehicles and other purposes.
“The leadership and members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, can no longer keep quiet, watching security operatives causing inexplicable pains and hardship to the people they are supposed to protect.
“Consequently, if these demands are not met within seven days of this press release, IPMAN, Oron Chapter, will not hesitate to shut down all petrol stations and selling points in Oro Nation.
“This means that there will be no sale of petroleum products in the five local government areas making up Oron Federal Constituency, as all our members will withdraw their services to the public to press for fair treatment of petroleum marketers in the Ibaka community.”
Meanwhile, the state Chairman of IPMAN, Francis Udoeyop, who was part of the delegation to Mbo Local Government Area to ascertain the level of anguish of the people, expressed deep disappointment, especially for the fact that all economic activities were grounded in the area.
WatchmanPost reports that all fishing boats were packed at the bank of the river, as there was no circulation of petroleum products for them to embark on their trade.
Our attempt to reach the Public Relations Officer of the Army remained unsuccessful at press time.
