Fear of petroleum scarcity hit Onitsha and other parts of Anambra State on Wednesday, following a 21-day strike notice by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
The union has issued a 21-working-day ultimatum to the Anambra State Government over what it describes as multiple taxation and harassment by local authorities.
The decision was announced during an emergency meeting in Awka on Wednesday, attended by over 700 marketers. The meeting was led by Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of IPMAN Enugu Community Depot, alongside other executives and Chief Linus Mgbakaogu, a national ex-officio.
IPMAN said its members had been adhering to a harmonised annual levy of ₦120,000, previously agreed upon with the state and approved by Governor Chukwuma Soludo. However, they allege that local government officials and state agents have started issuing additional demand notices and arresting marketers under various pretexts.
“We’re seeing charges for land use, signage, waste, fire services—none of which were part of our agreement. Worse, members are being extorted and harassed,” said Anyaso.
He added that while the State House of Assembly demanded operational documents from marketers, only the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency has the legal authority under the Petroleum Industry Act to make such requests.
IPMAN has called on Governor Soludo to intervene urgently, warning that fuel distribution across the state could be shut down if the issues aren’t resolved through dialogue. The group is also demanding the withdrawal of pending court cases and the release of arrested members.
Chief Mgbakaogu described the business climate in Anambra as increasingly hostile, stressing that Soludo must ensure his directives are respected.“The same agreements are being honoured in other states. We don’t understand why Anambra is different,” he said.
In response, Mr. Greg Ezeilo, Chairman of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, blamed the issue on local government chairmen seeking to assert autonomy. He pledged to initiate constructive dialogue between IPMAN and relevant authorities.
