The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IPMAN

  • IPMAN chief harps on productivity

    The National President of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo,has appealed to  members to be committed to building a stable petroleum sector.

    Okoronkwo, who made the appeal in Lagos, advised members that  through such commitment the association would move the downstream sector forward and  avoid intra-organisation wrangling.

    He urged members to develop a sustainable model that would ensure uninterrupted fuel supply in distribution chain.

    He called on the government to develop fuel haulage by rail through fixing the railways.

    He also called on members to shun corruption and ensure steady distribution of petroleum products across Nigeria to prevent scarcity.

    Okoronkwo, who took over from Aminu Abdulkadir, promised that his leadership would be devoid of selfishness and pursuit of parochial interests adding that accountability and efficiency would be the watchword of his leadership.

    He expressed his readiness to  stop the incessant harassment and victimisation of IPMAN members in some of the association’s units and give priority to their welfare.

    Okoronkwo also commended the stability and growth in the petroleum sector during the tenure of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    He said a monitoring team would be inaugurated to ensure conformity in all the IPMAN outlets nationwide.

    The IPMAN chief said the association is leading the campaign on use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as against kerosene and noted that many Nigerians had switched from the use of kerosene to gas.

    He assured that IPMAN would continue to work with Products and Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in all the PPMC’s depots across the country to ensure seamless product supply to all nooks and crannies of the Nigeria.

    Okonkwo said IPMAN members control over 85 per cent of Nigeria’s petroleum product retail outlets, a development that makes the association a dominant player in the downstream market, he added.

    He also described the Nigerian Content Act as a major enabler for building indigenous capacities for the long term survival of the oil and gas industry.

    “Nigerian Content Act is another achievement that epitomises the depth of the minister’s patriotism. The step is to create opportunities for indigenous participation in the development of the nation’s oil and gas industry.

    “Nigerians require leaders with a clear idea of what is required to attract real development to the society,” he said.

    The IPMAN chief, however, condemned the activities of the pipeline vandals and crude oil thieves, saying the development has been a great challenge to optimising output from the nation’s refineries.

     

  • Presidency intervenes in IPMAN leadership crisis

    Presidency intervenes in IPMAN leadership crisis

    •Ex-president accused of contempt as deputy takes over

     • NUPENG reopens NIPCO depot

    Rather than abate, the leadership crisis rocking the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is deepening. Its president, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir, has declined to hand over to Chief Lawson Obasi as directed by Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Instead, Abdulkadir handed over to his deputy Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo.

    Abdulkadir has appealed the judgment while Obasi has initiated contempt proceedings against him for not complying with the verdict.

    Last week, The Nation learnt a stakeholders meeting was summoned by the Managing Director of the Products and Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC), Prince Haruna Momoh, on the Presidency’s directive to resolve the rift to forestall any future fuel scarcity.

    PPMC it was learnt, urged Abdulkadir to obey the court order to ensure the organisation’s smooth running and prevent disruption of products supply.

    Shortly before the meeting, a bailiff was said to have issued Form 48 (Notice of Contempt of court) on Abdulkadir for allegelly illegally parading himself as IPMAN president against.

    Abdulkadir’s purported refusal to obey the order led the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to close NIPCO’s depot (the business venture of IPMAN). NUPENG insisted that unless Abdulkadir steps aside, the depot would not be reopened. The depot, which was reopened at the weekend after the intervention of the Presidency, State Security Service (SSS) and the National Assembly, was shut for over 10 days.

    When contacted, the Chief of Staff to Obasi, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, said the Form 48 was to let Abdulkadir know that he is in contempt of court.

    Ukadike explained that Chinedu Okoronkwo is neither qualified to be IPMAN president nor empowered to conduct elections.

    He noted that Okoronkwo has a case pending before a Port Harcourt High Court, adding that IPMAN has a succession rule, which Abdulkadir and his officers violated. Abdulkadir he said became the president from the position of secretary against stipulated guidelines.

    He said Obasi and his executive met during the weekend with all the national officials and he urged members to shun strike to ensure steady fuel supply nationwide.

    The Nation also gathered that 70 per cent of the executive members of the Aminu-led IPMAN are in discussion with the new leadership on how to share executive positions harmoniously.

    But, Okoronkwo dismissed Ukadike’s claim as baseless. Okoronkwo insisted that he is IPMAN President, adding that Ukadike was wrong because Abdulkadir has appealed the judgment.

    He said Obasi and his group should wait for the outcome of the appeal, adding: “It is a simple matter. The case is still subsisting in court. The problem of IPMAN will only be solved by IPMAN and not the court. Abdulkadir has appealed the judgment and Obasi should wait for the judgment of the Appeal Court, I am working with my executives to ensure that normalcy returns as soon as possible,” he said

    Obasi was the Vice President of Alhaji Musa Felande who took over from Olatunde Runsewe following the expiration of his (Runsewe) tenure. But, instead of Obasi being made the president in line with IPMAN’s constitution, Abdulkadir was made president from his position as secretary.

  • Leadership crisis hits IPMAN

    Leadership crisis hits IPMAN

    The leadership crisis rocking the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is far from being resolved as members’ loyalty is being divided between the two presidents of the association.

    The Western Zone of body yesterday appealed to the warring parties to resolve the crisis to prevent it from degenerating into national disaster that may trigger another fuel scarcity in the country.

    Its Chairman, Western Zone, Mr. Olumide Ogunmade, made the appeal after the zonal council meeting held in Lagos.

    He said: “IPMAN Western Zone would continue to support the national executives led by Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir and urged them to organise free and fair elections on or before the expiration of their tenure in May.

    “The legitimacy of the national president of IPMAN would better be enhanced when the voice and votes of members count on whosoever will become the next president.”

    He said the organisation needed to be concerned with how to find sustainable solution to the recurrent fuel scarcity in the country, adding that the current crisis is a needless. He said the zone prefers to support a president that would emerge through the electoral process.

    He said the leadership of the zone played a vital role in the crisis that rocked the national executives in 2011, adding that it brokered peace among the warring group. He said his members are committed to steady fuel supply to the country.

  • Why fuel scarcity may linger, by marketers  

    The current scarcity of fuel across the country may continue for a while longer except the leadership crisis rocking the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is immediately resolved, marketers in the Eastern zone warned yesterday.

    Arising from an emergency meeting yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital yesterday, the leadership and members of IPMAN Eastern zone, said allowing the National Executive Council led by Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir to give the association the much needed direction is the first step in resolving the fuel scarcity.

    Briefing The Nation on the outcome of the meeting called to discuss the lingering fuel crisis and the crisis within IPMAN, Chief Ezekwesili Maduagwuna, said the Eastern zone has passed a vote of confidence on the Abdulkadir- led executive.

    He warned that the crisis fuelled by some disgruntled elements may trigger fresh fuel scarcity if the association, especially the other zones failed to play their role.

    He added that the Eastern Zone of IPMAN is putting everything in place to maintain the cordial relationship between the marketers and the National Executive Council to ensure quick resolution of all factors responsible for the scarcity of fuel across the country.

    Maduagwuna said: “The members of the Independence Marketers Association of Nigeria, Eastern Zone has passed a vote of confidence on the National Executive Council of IPMAN led by Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir.

    “We did this because we cannot continue to allow some individuals to give IPMAN bad names. I think other zones should emulate us and support the present leadership to avoid fresh fuel scarcity in the country”.

    He called on the marketers to make product available at all cost while waiting for the resolution of all issues.

  • IPMAN urges Fed Govt to pay subsidy claims to marketers

    IPMAN urges Fed Govt to pay subsidy claims to marketers

    National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Aminu Abdulkardir yesterday attributed the fuel scarcity to the failure of the Federal Government to pay petroleum marketers nine months’ outstanding subsidy claims.

    He urged to the Ministry of Finance to pay the marketers.

    Aminu spoke in Abuja during the expanded national executive and zonal coordinators’ meeting.

    The National President said: “The non-payment is partly, quarterly, Quarter 4 completely not paid and we are quarter 1. Our national consumption today is being supplied by the NNPC. And it is only that 50 per cent of NNPC product that is in circulation.

    “They have stepped up their supply trying to do what every stakeholder is supposed to be doing, but it is evidently clear that they alone cannot do it.

    “I, therefore, use this medium to appeal the Ministry of Finance, as a matter of urgency, to intervene and pay marketers accordingly, so that the argumentation of this shortfall can be achieved in a short while so that this scarcity will be a thing of the past.”

    He added: “We are being owed Q3 subsidy payment, which is last year, another Q4 and Q1 pilling up to about nine months unpaid subsidy to marketers. We need to be paid this money because we are in business.”

    Asked to comment on the allegations of products’ diversion by marketers, the IPMAN president noted that “the diversion is not illegal”.

    Aminu explained that the products were not diverted to another country but still being sold to Nigerians within Nigeria.

     

  • Petrol hits N300 per litre in Calabar

    •Fares soar in Edo, others

    Black market operators in Calabar, Cross River State, now sell petrol for N300 per litre.

    Our correspondents observed that many independent marketers were closed yesterday.

    A station on Palm Street sold petrol for N180 per litre, others were selling for N150 per litre.

    The streets were almost empty, as many vehicles had no petrol.

    Many commuters trekked long distances since there were fewer commercial vehicles on the streets.

    The few vehicles available increased fares.

    State Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Michael Udofia said they were not hoarding petrol.

    He said they had not received any product.

    “We don’t have any product. Even during the Yuletide, there was no scarcity. So why should we hoard it now? In the last two years, we have not had any scarcity. So this is not our making.

    “We have about 14 depots in the city and none is working. Even the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot is not working.”

    In Ekpoma, Edo State, most stations were not selling. The development caused fares to skyrocket.

    Operators of black market took advantage of the situation.

    A litre of petrol sold for N130 at the few stations with the product, and N200 at the black market.

    A commercial motorcyclist, Ehis Arebo, called on the government to restore normalcy.

    A university lecturer, Solomon Ibhasebhor, described the scarcity as biting.

    Black marketers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, prayed the scarcity continues to enable them make more profit.

    Some of them said they made between N800,000 and N1 million in a week by selling four and 10 litres at the rate of N2,500 and N6,000.

    Banabas Ekwueme, a black marketer, said he made good money that could take care of his needs for one year.

    He said: “I don’t want the scarcity to end; I pray it gets worse. My brother, in this few days of fuel scarcity, I have made the highest cash in my life.

    Another black marketer, Okechukwu Ibe, said: “I was supplying to banks and other companies.

    “So if you are a business man or woman you have to patronise us. I wish the scarcity continues.”

     

     

  • It’s no longer business as usual for oil thieves, says Naval chief

    It’s no longer business as usual for oil thieves, says Naval chief

    •Navy not responsible for fuel scarcity

    From the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin came yesterday a warning to those engaging in illegality at sea: desist or risk being caught.

    Jibrin, who spoke during a joint military exercise between the Nigerian Navy and visiting Italian Navy Task Group tagged: “Exercise Ijewere” at the high sea, said that choke points have been established in troublesome areas with resources deployed to ensure no criminal was left uncaught.

    He was answering questions on how he intend to curb the rising incidents of crude oil theft as well as piracy that have robbed the nation economically.

    Jibril said: “We have deployed both human and material resources and have laid ambush to monitor all activities in the creeks.

    “Now, we wait for those who go to the creeks to perform illegality at anchorage positions. As long as we are able to establish choke points, all activities in the creeks now have just one passage way to deliver their ill-gotten goods. So, we wait for them and arrest them.”

    On allegations by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) that the Navy’s new tactics was responsible for the current fuel scarcity, Jibrin said the claim was unfounded.

    He noted that the force’s new approach in apprehending criminals may have resulted in one or two hours delay for ships, adding that only vessels without genuine documents are held.

    “NNPC can better explain what is happening. Though, I am not holding brief for them, I was told that the budget is a constrain that has limited NNPC’s effectiveness, particularly with regards to the subsidy issue which is extended to importers who bring in the products.

    “Right now, the amount that is produced locally is not enough to meet the demands of the population, that is why there is scarcity.

    “So, whoever is blaming the navy’s strategy of not allowing any ship pass our maritime domain unchecked by maritime forces for fuel scarcity is ignorant of the workings of the navy.

    “In the course of investigation, vessels may have encountered one or two hours delay but with genuine document, they are not delayed,” he said.

    On security situation in the Gulf of Guinea, the CNS said there is better cooperation between navies of neighbouring countries as criminals can now be pursued into Cameroon, Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana waters without restrictions.

     

  • Petrol scarcity bites harder

    Petrol scarcity bites harder

    Motorists and commuters across the land could not have had a worst weekend than this as more filling stations ran out of supply yesterday.

    And where fuel was available, the price was outrageous, ranging from N105 to N250 per litre.

    The immediate effects were long queues at such filling stations, scarcity of vehicles for commuters and exorbitant transport fates.

    It was not clear when the situation might improve.

    Many motorists in Lagos spent much of yesterday looking for fuel to buy.

    They had to queue at fillings stations, and where such queues extended to highways as it happened in many cases, the result was traffic jam.

    Many people who, had social engagements had had to cancel such so that they might not burn the petrol they had already.

    The situation also left motorists in Ado Ekiti spending endless hours at the few filling stations which have product to sell yesterday.

    Some petrol stations claimed that they had exhausted their supply and they the few ones that were selling did so for prices ranging between N110 and N115 per litre.

    The situation has forced a hike in transport fares to destinations within and outside the state.

    Commercial motorcycle operators have also increased their fares by about 28 per cent.

    There was no queue for fuel in Enugu, although transport fares went up by between 50 and 70 percent depending on the distance.

    Black market operators are having a field day in Makurdi and environs, capitalising on the furl scarcity to increase prices.

    They charge between N180 and N220 per litre.

    Some motorists said they joined the queue at the NNPC mega station on the Makurdi- Otukpo road as early as 4am to buy fuel and ended up getting only 20 litres, the maximum quantity approved for each motorist at the control price of 97 naira per litre.

    Thousands of commuters were stranded in Benin on the account of the fuel scarcity.

    Queues formed by motorists at some filling stations were up to one kilometre.

    The situation was particularly bad in Port Harcourt where almost all the petrol stations claimed to have run out of supply.

    This has left the black market thriving.

    The State Government had to step in, sealing off two filling stations, Oando and Conoil, in Eleme Local Government Area of the state for allegedly hoarding petroleum products.

    The Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Okey Amadi, alleged that the affected filling stations, apart from hoarding petroleum products, were also involved in fraudulent meter adjustment.

    Commuters in Awka, the Anambra State capital pleaded with government to find an immediate solution to the problem.

    They said the prices they are being forced to pay for petrol were beyond their means.

    Calabar was like a ghost town as many vehicles were off the road owing to the fuel scarcity.

    Only the NNPC mega station had the product which it sold at the control price of N97. The queue at the station was several kilometres long.

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) chairman in Cross River State, Michael Udofia, said they were not hoarding petrol as being speculated.

    He said:”We don’t have any product. Even throughout the Christmas period, there was no scarcity. Even then when there were so much activities, petrol was not hoarded. So why should we hoard it now. For the past two years we have not had scarcity. So this is not our making.

    “We have about 14 depots in the city and none of them is working. Even the NNPC depot was not working. So we have not been supplied with the product and that is why there is scarcity.”

    The situation was not different in Bayelsa and Delta States.

    Transport fares from and to the commercial city of Onitsha have jumped up caused by the fuel scarcity.

    Some Lagos residents urged the Federal Government to address the lingering fuel scarcity in the state, to make life more meaningful for the people.

    The residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that commuters now wasted a lot of time at bus stops as the fuel crisis takes a turn for the worse.

    Fuel queues were long at some filling stations, slowing down traffic on major highways.

    An artisan, Mr Yusuf Ismaila, told NAN that he was at a filling station for over two hours and was not been able to buy fuel.

    “I do not know why we suffer for basically everything in this country.

    “There is no frequent power supply and now that we have a generator to use, getting fuel is also a problem.

    “I have been on the queue for over two hours,” he said.

    Ismaila advised government to tackle the fuel shortage and to also address the epileptic power supply in the country.

    A commercial bus driver, Mr. Jare Olawale, said it was unfortunate that Nigerians were experiencing fuel shortage at this point in time.

    He said the scarcity had encouraged sharp practices by filling station attendants, who now made brisk business.

    He said that a litre of petrol now attracts over N100 at some filling stations against the official price of N97.

    “I have been on this queue for about an hour before I was able to buy petrol. This is very bad,’’ Olawale said.

    A businessman, Wale Shogeyinbo, said he was not happy with the fuel scarcity as it had disrupted his business.

    “As a businessman, I operate a viewing centre, where you can watch football and play games but now, the business is affected because of scarcity of fuel,” he lamented.

    A lawyer, Mr. Andrew Rotimi, expressed disappointment over the lingering fuel shortage in the country.

    NAN checks indicated that commuters now pay more with a trip from Ikotun to CMS on Lagos Island, which used to cost N300 now attracting between N350 and N400.

    Some attendants at the stations told NAN on condition of anonymity that they were selling at the price they got the new stock, which they said, was now higher.

  • IPMAN demands sufficient kerosene

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers (IPMAN) has appealed to the Federal Government to improve supply of subsidised kerosene product in Ogun State.

    The union decried shortage of subsidised kerosene supply in the state.

    The state Chairman, Dele Tajudeen, said the 33,000 litres supplied to the state by the Federal Government was not enough.

    “Considering the number of the people who are using kerosene in Ogun State, the Federal Government needs to supply more.

    “Thirty three thousand litres was given to the state and we have to share it among three major filling stations. You will agree with me that 33,000 litres is too small for the whole of Ogun State and I am sure it won’t last more than two days.”

  • Oil workers urged to embrace dialogue

    Oil workers urged to embrace dialogue

    President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Southwest Zone, Mr. Olumide Ogunmade, has urged oil workers’ groups to embrace dialogue in addressing the problems in the industry.

    The oil workers’ groups are Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

    Ogunmade, who spoke against the backdrop of plans by some interest groups to embark on industrial action and force the government to change its position on issues threatening the growth of the power and petroleum sectors, said dialogue has become a global tool for settling disputes.

    He said once the parties involved in the struggle know what and why they are fighting, they would be able to enter into dialogue and resolve their differences.

    He said understanding the reasons behind struggle and promotions of unity among the relevant parties are factors needed to achieve the desired results.

    He said: ‘’Once the parties know what and why they are fighting a cause, they would be able to reach a compromise on how to go about. Members of IPMAN branch of NUPENG should try and reach a negotiation on issues fundamental to the industry.”

     

    Employment of dialogue is another weapon required to fight for the welfare of their members. When this happens, there would not be acrimony among members and peace would reign.”

    He urged members to conceive progressive ideas to win their struggles, and take the petroleum industry to a greater height.

    “What win struggles are progressive ideas laced with the right thinking and actions. Members of IPMAN should come out with ideas that are purposeful, and provable to win a cause. This would help members to achieve their goals.’’ he added.