The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IPMAN

  • IPMAN urges members to sell petrol at N87

    IPMAN urges members to sell petrol at N87

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged its members to sell petrol at the official pump price of N87 per litre.

    IPMAN also advised its members to stop patronising private depot owners selling above official rate of N77.66 per litre.

    It urged the government to direct private depots to make the product available at the approved price.

    Its Western Zone Chairman, Alhaji Debo Ahmed who spoke to reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital yesterday on fuel scarcity, said his members should stop patronising depots that sell above regulated price.

    Said he: “IPMAN should stop patronising depots that sell above the government approved price. Fuel to those depots is from the government and it is subsidized. They should sell it to us at government controlled price. If they don’t, that means we too cannot sell at controlled price. So our members should not buy from depots that sell above government price of N77.66.

    “We really appreciate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC)’s efforts in abating the fuel scarcity.

  • IPMAN offers recipe for ending fuel scarcity

    IPMAN offers recipe for ending fuel scarcity

    THE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday urged the Federal Government to decentralise loading of petroleum products to make for effective loading at depots across the country.

    Chief Lawson Obasi, national president of IPMAN told reporters in Port Harcourt that spreading of petroleum products to other coastal depots across the country would end the scarcity.

    He said a situation where government only distributed petroleum products to tank farms in Lagos was partly responsible for the scarcity and high cost of product.

    “The government approach, where marketers across the country are expected to load petroleum products from only depots in Lagos state, is counter-productive.

    “To solve the scarcity of fuel, government must decongest Lagos by sending petroleum products to coastal depots in Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri.

    “By decentralising supply and distribution from Lagos to other depots; it would become easier for IPMAN members to lift products and distribute to filling stations,” he said.

    Obasi said the policy by government should be revised to enable marketers have unlimited access to petroleum products for distribution to final consumers.

    He denied that marketers hoarded products to deepen the scarcity to make more profit from sales.

  • IPMAN wants petroleum products loading decentralised from Lagos

    IPMAN wants petroleum products loading decentralised from Lagos

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), on Sunday, urged the Federal Government to decentralise loading of petroleum products to make for effective loading at depots across the country.

    Chief Lawson Obasi, National President, IPMAN, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that spreading of petroleum products to other coastal depots across the country would end current scarcity.

    He said that a situation where government only distributed petroleum products to tank farms in Lagos was partly responsible for current scarcity and high cost of product.

    “The current government approach, where marketers across the country are expected to load petroleum products from only depots in Lagos state, is counter-productive.

    “To solve current scarcity of fuel; government must decongest Lagos by sending petroleum products to coastal depots in Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri.

    “By decentralising supply and distribution from Lagos to other depots; it would become easier for IPMAN members to lift products and distribute to filling stations,” he said.

    Obasi said that the current policy by government should be revised to enable marketers have unlimited access to petroleum products for distribution to final consumers.

    He denied that marketers had hoarded products to deepen current scarcity to make more profit from sales.

    According to him, the Pipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC) should, as a matter of urgency, commence distribution of products to other depots in the South-South to end current fuel scarcity.

  • IPMAN partners pan, Access Bank on car acquisition

    IPMAN partners pan, Access Bank on car acquisition

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), yesterday partnered Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN)  and Access Banl in the Peugeot Car acquisition scheme for its members nationwide

    Speaking at the event  in Abuja, the National President of IPMAN, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, said the scheme is to help members acquire brand new cars in order to ease their mobility and improve their welfare.

    He said the scheme will create a level ground for the promotion and actualisation of made-in-Nigeria products thereby creating jobs for the youths.

    “These patronages for made-in-Nigeria products will create more jobs for the youths in Nigeria which will help reduce unemployment in the country,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Managing Director, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, said Pan has been leading automobile plant in Nigeria for the past 45years.

    He said most of the auto technicians and mechanics we have, are either products of PAN, or made by PAN, adding that PAN is very conscious of that provision in  the market.

    “We are very proud of our products in terms of quality, performance, real efficiency and the operation cost of running. Our products are lower and the ownership cost is exceptional,” he said.

    He said with more patronage, PAN would create create more job opportunities for employment, investment which he said will help develop the Nigeria economy.

  • IPMAN: don’t blame us for fuel scarcity

    IPMAN: don’t blame us for fuel scarcity

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday absolved its members of blame in the ongoing petrol scarcity.

    IPMAN Chairman in Lagos Satellite Depot, Ejigbo, Alanamu Ayo Balogun, said the failure of the Federal Government to release the oil subsidy money to the importers is the cause of the scarcity.

    Balogun said in a normal situation, over 2000 members load 70 trucks of fuel per day at Ejigbo NNPC depot, but at present only 10 trucks go out daily to service Lagos and parts of Ogun State.

    He said IPMAN members have been buying fuel from depot owners at N95 per litre.

    The IPMAN chairman said should the government fail to release the subsidy money on time to allow importation of petroleum products, scarcity will worsen in December.

     

     

     

     

  • Court fixes November 6 for arraignment of IPMAN factional president …as judge’s absence stalls trial

    Court fixes November 6 for arraignment of IPMAN factional president …as judge’s absence stalls trial

    Federal High Court, Jabi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday adjourned the arraignment of the alleged factional President of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr. Lawson Obasi, till November 9.

    Speaking with journalists in Abuja, counsel to the Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo-led IPMAN, Barrister Nnamna Oru, said the adjournment was due to the absence of the presiding judge who is engaged at the election tribunal in Gombe State.

    The counsel to the complainant recalled that “on the 6th of July, the suspect was to be arraigned here but the court couldn’t sit on the account of the absence of the presiding judge, who is engaged in the tribunals in Gombe State. So, because of the state and urgency of the matters at the tribunal, he is still sitting and the court couldn’t sit today.

    “So the matter was adjourned to the 9th of November, by which period he would have been through with his tribunal engagement and appropriate steps taken to prosecute the matter.

    “I am watching view for the nominal complainant of this matter. The complainant is the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), led by the National President, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo.”

    The court had fixed yesterday for the arraignment of Obasi and three others who were dragged before it over criminal allegations.

    Others charged alongside Obasi are Ukadike Chinedu, Augustine Erhabor and Andrew Ashiga.

    The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mohammed Diri, who was present in court on September 6, had filed the six-count charge before the FCT High Court.

    Count one of the 6-count charge filed by Diri on behalf of the Federal Government, among others, reads: “That you, Chief Lawson Obasi, Ukadike Chinedu (aka Asha), Augustine Erhabor and Andrew Ashiga (now at large) on or about the 14th day of April 2014, within the judicial division of the High Court of FCT, conspired to commit an offence, in that while you armed yourselves with dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, wood, iron rod and knives, you violently forced yourselves into the premises of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) headquarters located at No. 41, Gnassigbe Eyadema Street, Asokoro, Abuja and attacked the headquarters by breaking the doors, windows, lockers and cardboards of the office and inflicting various degrees of injuries on the occupants and robbed them of large sums of money and valuable properties valued at millions of naira.”

    The FG stated that in pursuance of their conspiracy, the accused persons “thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act 2004.

  • IPMAN praises Buhari on fuel supply

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), Kogi State chapter, has commended the Federal Government and President Mohammadu Buhari for ensuring availability of petroleum products across the country.

    The Chairman of IPMAN,  Joel Olufemi who made the commendation while speaking  with newsmen in Lokoja yesterday, said the long queues that used to be the order of the day in petroleum stations across the country have become a thing of the past.

    He explained that the federal government has ensured that petroleum products is made available in abundance, noting that it has made easier for motorists to buy without stress.

    He said during the holidays, including the October 1st Independent Day anniversary, there would be enough fuel for motorists travelling to different parts of the country.

    He refuted allegations  that the officers of Weight and Measurement Department, Ministry of Trade and Commerce, are in the habit of collecting bribe from members of the association.

    He described such allegation as baseless and a figment of the imagination of those making it.

    He said that it is only the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) that has the mandate to visit filling stations, regulate price and ensure correct measurement of fuel discharged to motorists at the official pump price of N87.00 per litre.

  • IPMAN brokers peace

    Peace is set to return to the folds of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Ibadan depot, following the ratification of peace accords at the end of an emergency general meeting of the union.

    IPMAN, according to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and jointly signed by its officers in Ibadan/Ibarapa I&II, Oke-Ogun I&II, Ife-Ijesha, Osun and Oyo/Ogbmoso zones, said the congress agreed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ibadan Depot belongs mainly to Oyo and Osun states respectively and other adjoining states, adding that Alhaji Raheem Rasaq Tayo is the duly elected chairman.

    It said:  “The house recognised the grievances of the members and wish that they join IPMAN fold to resolve all lingering crisis. An election was held at IPMAN Secretariat on February 4, this year which was conducted by the IPMAN Zonal and National Executives and witnessed by the Oyo State Police and the State Security Service (SSS). If they fail to agree and abide by the said election result, fresh election will be held in line with the practice of IPMAN in Ibadan Depot.” It was also observed that “no form of harmonisation of positions will bring lasting peace other than to have a fresh election”, hence the decision that “election be conducted at a date to be chosen and venue in which the representatives of the Houses of Assembly of Oyo and Osun will serve as observers.”

    For fare representation, they concluded that an undertaken be signed before the conduct of the election, warning that “the outcome will be binding on all parties involved. All security agencies such as the police, the SSS and the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps (NCDSC) should be invited to witness the conduct of the election.”

    On allocation, it was agreed that “all forms of discretionary allocations be stopped forthwith at the NNPC Ibadan Depot. IPMAN’s monthly allocation should be chart followed strictly and be made public. Henceforth, IPMAN’s constitutional levy for local, bridging and transfer be resuscitated immediately at all loading NNPC and private depots.”

     

  • US, IPMAN back NNPC’s reforms

    US, IPMAN back NNPC’s reforms

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is backing the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The association has for long been yearning for positive changes, such as the reforms by Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, the new NNPC boss.

    According to the association’s National Secretary,  Danladi Pasali, the downstream oil sector was almost dead before the rescue mission of the present administration.

    “No genuine investor was happy with the past situation of the oil sector. Several of our investments were ruined due to corruption at all levels, favoritism and impunity,” it said.

    The association continued: “With the appointment of Ibe Kachikwu as the new GMD NNPC by President Muhammadu Buhari, we are convinced that this administration is ready for business. Our members will ensure more investments in the downstream sector.

    “We have already begun to see positive signs just two weeks after his appointment. That is enough encouragements for us as investors to put our money back in the downstream sector.

    “We will continue to partner with NNPC management for the successful downstream oil sector.

    “We have the capacity and investments to flood this country with fuel if given the chance. It is important to note that more than 85 per cent of the petrol outlets belong to our members, therefore, we are closer to people as far as oil distribution is concern than any group or people.”

    The association thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment and assured that it will work with the new management to ensure troubled-free downstream oil sector.

    It also urged the new GMD to ignore all sponsored attacks on his style of leadership, saying that the interest of the nation supercedes that of an individual or group.

    IPMAN also called on the new GMD as a matter of urgency to encourage private investment in the areas of refining and petrochemicals, as its refinery discussion has already gone far with its partner.

    “With his background from the private sector, Dr Kachikwu is expected to give private business more priority, but not to continue relying on government as it was in the past NNPC.

    “We welcome the idea of running NNPC as a commercial entity not as cost house of government. Through these types of initiatives, the country will really benefits from its oil wealth,” it said.

    In another development, the United States (US) has pledged its readiness to work with the new Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC in achieving the government’s reform agenda in the oil and gas industry.

    NNPC Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe,  who made this known in a statement yesterday in Abuja, after a courtesy call by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James Entwistle on Dr. Kachikwu,  quoted the envoy as saying that the US was willing to provide all necessary support for the new management to realise its set goals and objectives.

    The US envoy noted that though the NNPC’s GMD’s job was about the most challenging in Nigeria, the US is convinced that he has the skills, training and requisite experience to lead the oil and gas industry through the path of growth and sustainable development.

    Commending the US  for the pledge to support, Dr. Kachikwu reiterated the determination of the new management to implement the spirit and letter of President Muhammadu Buhari’s reform agenda in the petroleum industry.

  • IPMAN raises committee to curb sharp practices at Capital Oil

    IPMAN raises committee to curb sharp practices at Capital Oil

    The Managing Director, Capital Oil and Gas Industry, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah yesterday said  the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has raised a seven-man committee to curb the irregularities  in the lifting of petroleum products from his terminal.

    Ubah, who addressed journalists in Abuja, yesterday,  said that the committee has signed a Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) with his firm.

    He said: “Their representative in Capital Oil today is signing a MoU with our management that they will set up a seven-man committee among IPMAN. I think that will be the only thing. I think we are getting out of it. IPMAN to set up a seven man committee to curb the menaces of marketers who are selling products in my terminal.”

    The firm had last week placed a ban on some marketers from lifting petroleum products from the terminal until they comply with the directive to deliver product at designated locations and sell at government approved prices.

    The firm also noted that some marketers loaded petroleum products from its tank farm and resold the allocated product at unreasonable high prices far above prices approved by the Federal Government.

    IPMAN had told reporters in Abuja last week that it had written to President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from storing petrol in Capital Oil tank farm.

    Its factional President, Elder Chindu Okoronkwo  alleged that over N2billion fuel belonging to IPMAN had been trapped in  Capital Oil tank farm in the last eight weeks.

    According to him, 60 percent of its allocation comes through Capital Oil tank farm, lamenting that the firm had refused to distribute it to the marketers.

    The association also accused the firm of withholding petroleum products worth 700 tickets paid for in NNPC.

    But commenting on the issue yesterday, Ubah noted that the marketers were at liberty to load products from other NNPC depots but preferred his tank farm because of its efficiency in loading.

    Uba said marketers were warned that unless they change from their sharp practices, Capital Oil would stop loading their trucks.

    He said: “There are about six or seven depots in Lagos. They are at liberty to go and load from any NNPC depots. It is not about Capital Oil.

    “If they are keeping tickets in Capital Oil they can as well take the tickets. But Capital Oil loads everyday. We are the only facility that loads everyday from morning to morning in Lagos.  We are loading NNPC; we are loading major marketers. But we told them we will stop loading them if they continue the act.”

    He, however, denied playing any role in the leadership crisis rocking the  association, saying he did not influence the recognition of the Lawson Obason faction by the Federal Ministry of Labour this year.

    “I have no business with them. They have their issues. I only came in to reconcile them four years ago. And that is the only thing I think I can say about that.”

    According to him, in  his business there is no selective sale of petroleum products to any marketers since they all pay money, irrespective of their association.

    Ubah said: “We had last week indicated that we are banning some marketers from our facilities. Actually we have no problem with IPMAN. IPMAN remains our customer and we have good mutual business relationship.“