The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chinedu Okoronkwo

  • IPMAN, NUPENG assures of products availability

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have urged Nigerians to stop panicking over fuel scarcity as there is sufficient product.

    The duo said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos against the backdrop of the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country.

    The association confirmed that about six vessels of imported petrol ordered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were currently discharging the product, assuring that the corporation has sufficient products.

    Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, the National President of IPMAN, told NAN that there was no need for panicking over fuel scarcity, as virtually all the NNPC depots across the states had commence loading of petroleum product by marketers.

    ‘’Marketers are currently loading petrol in Makurdi, Kano, Enugu, Aba,Yola, Suleja, Kaduna, Ejigbo, Mosinmi, Ibadan and other depots across the country.

    ‘’The shortfall in distribution was due to slow pace of product importation and hitches at the jetty which had been addressed.

    ‘’But the Federal Government is on top of the situation, there is enough of petrol to go round. I have also instructed all our members to ensure adequate distribution of the product across the country.

    “I have also directed them to ensure product is sold at official price of N145 per litre. If there is any issues on distribution and pricing differentials, members should call the secretariat for further action.

    ‘’The Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) template has not changed, so, no marketer should influence hike or sell above official price,’’ he said.

    Okoronkwo reaffirmed the commitment of the association toward supporting the Federal Government’s efforts on effective and efficient distribution of petroleum products across the country.

    He stressed further that IPMAN had so far reached an agreement with other marketers for better synergy in making the product available in the country.

    “IPMAN which controls 80 per cent outlets, has more advantage in distributing and dispensing in both urban and hinterlands in the country.

    “In line with the Federal Government’s efforts at ensuring efficient petroleum products distribution across the country, IPMAN members have opted for a seamless distribution of petroleum products,’’ he said.

    He noted that such synergy amongst members with the Federal Government, would present a common front that would advance the interest of the group and ensure smooth distribution of the products across the country.

    Mr Tayo Aboyeji, Chairman, Lagos Zone of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), also colloborated the IPMAN’s president, saying “there is enough fuel, Nigerians should avoid panic buying’’.

    Aboyeji said that “there is fuel and it is available, as I am talking to you now, some of the depots have received the products and are already loading.

    “What is happening was panic buying, people think there might be price increase from government or removal of subsidy.

    “But nothing of such, government has assured us that no increase in petrol pricing for now, so, Nigerians and marketers should avoid being panic over fuel scarcity.

    READ ALSO: NUPENG urges Nigerians to stop panic buying of fuel

    “I urge Nigerians and motorists to avoid storing of petrol at home because it’s dangerous for us, fuel is available, I have visited some depots and I can confirmed to you that loading is going on.

    ‘’As at Friday, we have instructed our tanker drivers to engage in 24-hours loading activities and lift products from depots to filling stations across the country.

    “We will ensure 24-hours service delivery of product distribution in the country, we also urge government to checkmate activities of the task force in Lagos and along Ibadan expressway.

    “Our members are being extorted and harassed by members of the task force. Some drivers who were scheduled to load in Lagos were denied asses to Lagos, which also affects effective distribution of products,’’ he said.

    Alhaji Debo Ahmed, the Chairman, Western Zone of IPMAN, however attributed the ongoing queues at some stations was due to shortfall in NNPC distribution network to depots.

    Ahmed said that all depots within the South-West zone were loading at a low pace due to insufficient products.

    “We have lots of pending tickets from marketers awaiting loading at depots but were still stranded.

    Also, Alhaji Ayo Alanamu, the Chairman, IPMAN Ejigbo Satellite depot, attributed the challenges to shortfall of the product from NNPC.

    Alanamu said that marketers, IPMAN and NNPC retails battled with 40-trucks on daily basis which was not sufficient.

    He urged government to expedite action toward importing more products to avoid another round of scarcity that had ended.

    He noted that depot owners were also contributing to the scarcity due to the hike in pricing.

    NAN recalls that on April 12, NNPC said trending social media report of an impending fuel scarcity due to purported refusal by some oil marketers to lift products from depots was false.

  • Presidential election: IPMAN endorses Buhari

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers  Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, gave its full backing to the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential election.

    IPMAN’s National President, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, conveyed the association’s endorsement when he led a delegation of IPMAN on a courtesy call on the president.

    Okoronkwo said that IPMAN controlled 80 per cent of investments in the downstream sector of the oil industry with over 50 thousand members scattered throughout Nigeria having more than 2 trillion investments in the oil industry.

    He said that IPMAN was appreciative of Buhari’s immense support to the oil industry which had made it possible that in the last three years, Nigeria had not witness the incessant fuel scarcity which had dogged previous administrations.

    “This is indeed an indication of your managerial capability, sagacity and experience; by virtue of this, I want to assure you our dear President that all members of our great association are solidly behind you – one hundred percent and are unshaken in our resolve to ensure your re-election.

    “In the same vein, we are committed to ensuring that this good work continues as we pledge our own contributions to ensure the continuous free flow and distribution of petroleum products across the country without any hitches.

    “It is on record that before your emergence, petroleum products distribution was a big racket riddled with highwire scam and decadent corruption.

    “The perennial fuel scarcity was the noticeable symptom of this malaise. But when you came on board that evil network of graft in the sector was dismantled and the nation is better for it as there is unhindered products availability all-year -round.

    “This new working environment is inspiring more investment by IPMAN members and we are further emboldened to establish a refinery in the near future with your support.

    “We shall soon furnish your office with detailed presentation of our plans and timelines for the actualisation of this project,’’ he said.

    In his response, Buhari thanked IPMAN for the significant support and contributions in ensuring Nigerians had adequate supply of petroleum products throughout 2018.

    The president said he was particularly happy to note that IPMAN used its large network of petrol retail stations across  country to distribute petroleum products sustainably.

    “ I am told that your members, in many instances, went beyond the call of duty to support the NNPC and other government agencies in ensuring products are adequately available for our citizens especially during the festive seasons.

    “I am also very pleased to hear that your members are planning to invest in refinery and petrochemical facilities.

    “This clearly shows that IPMAN, like the APC, also has plans to move to the NEXT LEVEL.

    “ I want to assure you that this administration will fully support this investment which aligns with Nigeria’s Energy Security Agenda.

    “ As I commend you on the successes you have recorded so far, I also want to ask that you continue to support the government in ensuring petroleum products meant for Nigeria are not illegally taken out of Nigeria.

    “We all know this illegal smuggling of products out of Nigeria is a threat to our national economy and security and must be stopped. I, therefore, want to urge all IPMAN members to remain committed to complying with the laws and regulations that govern the Nigerian oil and gas sector,’’ he said.

    The president also urged the IPMAN leadership to fully collaborate with the Federal Government by exposing those members who participated in illegal activities.

    He commended the association for the support and confidence it had shown to his administration and pledged to continue doing his best to move Nigeria forward.(NAN)

  • IPMAN sets up committee to check adulteration among members

    National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ), Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, says they will constitute a committee to check pipeline vadalization and adulteration of petroleum products among members of the association.

    Speaking while inaugurating the caretaker committee of IPMAN, Calabar depot, led by Elder Edet Umana, Okoronwko said the country was riddled with the activities of such vandals and there was urgent need to check the problem.

    “The business of oil and gas, which is about 80 per cent of downstream sector, is controlled by our members and any infraction in that chain always affects us adversely. As a responsible organization, we must work with government at all levels to ensure that petroleum products are genuine and the pipelines for which the products are conveyed are also in order, because every disruption would affect the economy. We are employers of labour. Over 20 million workers are working for us if you check the chain, pump attendants, depot managers, tanker drivers and so on. So we must as a responsible organization protect this business. The committee would be at all depots, we would have it at national level, zonal level and chapter levels.

    “We are working with the police, DSS, Civil Defence, and even the army. When we catch you as our member in order for you not to contaminate us, we would say this one is not doing very well and we would prove it. We have investigated and seen this problems and the association cannot tolerate those who indulge in vices inimical to the growth of this country,” he said.

    Okoronwko said President Muhammdu Buhari was trying his best for the country, but some people are still trying to thwart his efforts to move the country forward.

    “Is he (Buhari) is he the one cutting pipelines and stealing products? No. We must as an association help the country, by helping the members work in tandem with agreement with Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),” he said.

    He congratulated newly inaugurated caretaker executive committee of Calabar depot, saying they would manage the affairs of the association pending when they would be election for new executives.

    He charged them to help in the fight against vandalization and adulteration and also make sure that petroleum products flow without any problems.

    The new caretaker committee, Elder Edet Umana, urged all marketers to work in unity.

    Umana said he would call everyone together and also ensure all members get products as at when due without fear or favour.

    The 16-man caretaker committee led by Umana has Ekanem Effiong as Vice Chairman and Mrs Adana Onuegbu as Secretary.

  • IPMAN commends judgment declaring Okoronkwo as National President

    IPMAN commends judgment declaring Okoronkwo as National President

    Members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) have commended a recent Appeal Court judgment in Abuja, which declared Chinedu Okoronkwo as the national president of the association.
    The marketers gave the commendation in a statement issued by their National Secretary, Alhaji Danladi Passali, after the National Executive Meeting (NEC) on Wednesday in Abuja.
    Passali stated that the new development would address the issues of misconduct and mismanagement, which they say, is currently rocking the association.
    He said that Okoronkwo remains the substantive national president of IPMAN based on the Appeal court judgment in the suit number: No CA/A/397/2014.
    The Appeal Court re-affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court judgment, Federal Capital Territory, in the suit No FCT/HC/CV/1479/2016.
    The lower court in its judgment delivered on May 28, 2014, upheld the election of IPMAN National Executive committee, conducted on May 10, 2014.
    According to him, the interest of all members of the association will be a top priority of the president.
    The scribe said that the judgment was a welcome development to IPMAN members, and the oil and gas industry nationwide.
    “The judgment will enable us maintain the serenity we normally enjoyed in the distribution and dispensing of petroleum products to Nigerians in all nooks and crannies of the country.
    “Now that Okoronkwo is on the IPMAN association’s driver seat, members will get their allocation accordingly.
    “The NEC has reached an agreement with Depot Owner and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) for better synergy in meeting product availability in the country since DAPPMA has better strength in storage.
    “And IPMAN, which controlled 80 per cent outlets, has the better trend in distribution and dispensing in both urban and hinterland in the country,’’ Passali said.