The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has written a letter of complaint to President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to intervene on the new centralisation policy of online products, the issue of renewal of bulk purchase agreements by the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
IPMAN in a letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari and signed by IPMAN National President, Chief (Dr) Kolawole Adewoyin and National Secretary, Dr. Engr. Suleiman Raimi and copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Chief of Staff, to the President, Minister of State for Petroleum, the Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC, all IPMAN Zonal Chairmen and the PTD, National Chairman, states that the new
centralisation policy of online products and also the issue of renewal of bulk purchase agreements by the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), are not only unhealthy, but rather compounding the deplorable business situation to the Independent Petroleum Marketers, and even to the Govemment.
“If at all, the Government wants to discourage bribery, corruption, and allow the business to prosper as well as to maintain and improve the wellbeing of the Petrolcum Marketers along with their employees from being laid off in the down stream sector.We are one of the largest employers of labours with over Two Hundred Thousand
(200,000) workforce spread across the Federation. In view of this policy, laying off employees of Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, will have multiplying adverse effect on the economy and security situation of the country.”
It added that many independent Marketers alike across the nation do visit the NNPC tower in Abuja to lobby for their companies to be programmed and supply products, while bulky of genuine Independent Petroleum Markerters of Petroleum who do not show up despite their genuine investments, good filling and service stations are left stranded and unattended to.
“In othet words, in order to checkmate and pave ways for better and smooth operation of the system, this ought to be changed! As in most Government Agencies-Private Sector only the initial/original agreement is recognized, and maintained. In addition, that will enhance smooth and steady flow’ supply and distributions of the petroleum products, most especially the PMS, Prime Motor Spirit. In this regard, we strongly appeal for the abolition of the renewal of the Bulk purchase Agreement along with its charges, in order to help in redeeming the already deplorable situation facing the Independent Marketers. As well as in saving costs from the excessive taxations by the various Govermment agencies both Federal, States and Local Govermment units. Henceforth, saving the Petroleum Marketers along with their staff across the country from total collapse, most especally in this particular period of hard economy coupled with the insecurity situation facing our great country, Nigeria. ”
“Your Excellency, we have no objection to the online payment and distributions/programming of the Petroleum Products, but let there be
justice, and fairness by the PPMC, by reverting to its previous ways of programming and distributions, as the PPMC has its 21 Loading Depots, some few Area Offices and personnel on zoning basis to represent and cover all the others in making programming distributions of the products on behalf of the Central Commercial Office/Headquarters and at the same time be reporting to the PPMC Headquarters at Abuja. As this may be better, more eflicient, and will provide much easier accessibility/facilitation to the Petroleum Marketers accordingly. We believe, if such policy of decentralized is maintained/implemented, there shall be better improvement of the supply/distributions of Petroleum Products, with ease to our great members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria, IPMAN and such unnecessary hurdles are eliminated or at least be minimized.”
“Finally, as law abiding citizens and loyalist to your Government of the day, we wish to assure you of our support, and cooperation at all times in the smooth and hitch free supply and distributions of the Petroleum products nationwide, and we will not relent hesitate in keeping you informed on any developiment, most especially the ones that can bring set back to our business and our great Country, Nigeria at large.”