Following last-minute intervention by the Anambra government, members of Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) in the state, will now shutdown operations on Aug. 25, across the state.
The impending strike is in solidarity with Siluch Oil and Gas Limited, an IPMAN member, being owed N13.6 million for petroleum products it supplied to Transport Company of Anambra State (TRACAS), since 2017.
IPMAN had on Aug.4, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government, to pay off the debt, and also address other issues raised by the association.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday in Awka, Mr Chinedu Anayaso, Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot, said that the shutdown would be total until all conditions were met.
Anayaso said apart from the debt payment, his members were resisting any form of tax/levy increase by the government, as the economy did not currently support such an additional burden on businesses.
He said that the action would be total because IPMAN, NUPENG and Petrol Tanker Drivers were together in the plan, adding that anyone who violated the order would pay a fine of N500, 000.
He also said within the period of shutdown, no product destined for Anambra would be loaded, adding sadly however, other states like Enugu and Ebonyi under the zone would be affected.
Also speaking, Uche Okoye, Managing Director of Siluch Oil and Gas, said his company was having a smooth business relationship with
TRACAS until the second term campaign of Gov. Willie Obiano, when they could not pay for four months.
Okoye said he had written and visited TRACAS and the transport ministry several times over the debt, but regretted that they had refused to pay him.
He noted with regrets that the money owed him was a loan secured from the bank for which he had been paying interests without making use of.
Edith Madukasi, the Managing Director of TRACAS, told journalists that she was informed on the assumption of duties in the company that Siluch was owed some money by the company.
Reacting, Mr Afam Mbanefo, Commissioner for Transport in Anambra, said he had been briefed on the debt and that he was already working on it.
Mbanefo said that the government would ensure that every stakeholder got what was due to them.
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