The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has appealed to the Anambra State Government to settle an outstanding N900 million debt owed to members for diesel supplied for powering streetlights.
Speaking after the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting in Enugu, IPMAN Enugu Unit Chairman, Chief Chinedu Anyaso, warned that failure to resolve the debt could trigger a spike in fuel prices.
“The Anambra State Government debt has been recurring for the past year, notwithstanding three official letters and direct appeals to the governor and functionaries of the state concerned. Till now, nothing has been done.”
He said members are taking a diplomatic approach to avoid disruptions that could worsen the plight of citizens.
“If IPMAN members go on strike, it is clear that a litre of fuel (petrol) might go up to about N2,000 and N3,000 in the state, as well as other attendant negative impacts of such a move.”
Anyaso revealed that the prolonged debt burden had resulted in the deaths of eight members in Anambra, citing stress from loan repayment demands by financial institutions. Some marketers have lost their stations to creditors, while others have shut down or laid off staff.
Meanwhile, IPMAN resolved to combat fuel pump manipulation through a task force scheduled for inauguration in September, with state-based compliance teams and sanctions for errant members.
The unit also discussed welfare issues, logistics for lifting petroleum products, and participation in the Dangote Direct Sales and Delivery Scheme, as well as an offer from JEZCO Oil and Gas to support marketers.
