By Okechukwu Onuegbu
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All is now set for petroleum products marketers in Anambra State to shutdown operations indefinitely following the expiration of one month ultimatum issued to the State in solidarity with their members owed over N900 million for supplying streetlight generator diesel.
The marketers under the aegis of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) had met on April 24 and decided that they would embark on a total shutdown of operations without further notice if their demands were not met by the Anambra government.
Other demands of IPMAN included withdrawal of all litigations against members based on multiple taxation as well as the demolition of part of the property of Chris Tee Nigeria limited, a marketer at Trans-Nkissi phase 1 along Onitsha-Otuocha road.
The strike was shelved on the intervention of Mr Ken Maduako, a patron of the association; and Golden Iloh, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly
IPMAN had pleaded with Soludo to pay the debt amounting to N900,664,805.00 for diesel supplied for the months of March and April 2022 to no avail.
“Our members are dying because of these debts, and the banks are chasing them around to repay the loans given to them to do this business,” it said.
A marketer who pleaded anonymity said they the challenges had not been addressed by the state government as nobody had been paid.
The source said they were waiting for directive by the leadership of Enugu Depot IPMAN for further instructions on the Industrial action.