Fuel scarcity may worsen as IPMAN crisis degenerates

The erratic supply of fuel across the country may worsen in coming weeks if the leadership crisis in the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria degenerates further.

Just last Friday, the crisis in IPMAN warranted the shutdown of operations of the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, sources in the sector alleged.

Our correspondent also gathered that some marketers that kicked against Mr. Aminu Abdulkadir, the association’s president whose tenure was recently terminated by a High Court judgment, were denied product.

The development, it was learnt had further intensified fuel scarcity in the affected regions, especially in eastern Nigeria.

A Federal High Court ruling in Port Harcourt delivered by Justice Lambo Akanbi, had declared Mr. Obasi Lawson as IPMAN’s president. The court also put aside the constitution of the association that was spearheaded by Abdulkadir.

However, Lawson and Abdulkadir are currently operating as presidents of the association, as both gave instructions to loyal members.

This, our correspondent gathered, has factionalised the largest petrol distributors association in the country.

The court-installed president, Lawson, told our correspondent that many petrol stations that lack product were IPMAN members who opposed the reign of Abdulkadir after being sacked by the court.

Although Lawson said the situation was being addressed, he admitted that fuel scarcity in some parts of the country was due to the shutdown of these affected stations.

He said, “Many of the stations without fuel across states in the country are members who kicked against the policies of Abdulkadir and this is another problem that is warranting product scarcity. You can go and find out. In fact some of my members are selling their stations.

“This is especially in places where we don’t have the pronounced presence of major marketers. He (Abdulkadir) designed a way to impoverish some marketers and by extension Nigerians who get supply from these marketers. But as president of the association, I am working hard to address this.”

Lawson explained that the crisis in the association had been on for a very long time and stressed that stakeholders came up with a Memorandum of Understanding in order to put an end to the leadership tussle.

He added, “But Abdulkadir did not honour any of the agreements in the MoU. He only picked the one that favoured him, which is to be the president. He was challenged and the court ruling ordered him to step aside and based on the succession plan in our original constitution, the court declared me president.”

But Abdulkadir stated that the judgment had been appealed and warned that the crisis, if not addressed, may further worsen the already erratic supply of fuel in Nigeria.

According to him, unsuspecting members of the association may decide not to lift product until the leadership tussle is checked, stressing that this may cause further hardship on the Nigerian masses.

Abdulkadir’s views were however countered by Lawson, who argued that his members would continue lifting product and assured that he would do everything possible to ensure seamless supply of fuel nationwide.