Nigeria may soon face another round of fuel scarcity as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to pay over N100 billion owed to its members. If the debt is not cleared, IPMAN has threatened to withdraw its services nationwide, which could lead to severe fuel shortages across the country.
The warning was issued by Yahaya Alhasan, Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, during a press conference in Abuja on Monday. According to Alhasan, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has failed to pay the N100 billion bridging claim debt owed to petrol marketers, despite promising to do so 40 days ago.
What is the Bridging Claim Debt?
Bridging claims are payments made to petrol marketers to cover the cost of transporting fuel from depots to filling stations across the country. These payments are crucial for keeping the supply chain running smoothly. However, the NMDPRA has not paid these claims for over a year, leaving many marketers in financial distress.
Alhasan revealed that the delay in payment has grounded operations in several Northern depots, including Jos, Gusau, Minna, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola, and Maiduguri. Many marketers have been forced to shut down their businesses, retrench staff, or even lose their properties to banks due to the financial strain caused by the unpaid debts.
IPMAN’s Frustration
IPMAN members are frustrated with the NMDPRA’s failure to fulfill its promises. Alhasan recalled that the NMDPRA had pledged to pay the debt within 40 days during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi. However, months have passed without any payment, leaving marketers in a dire situation.
In addition to the unpaid debts, IPMAN is also protesting against what it calls “unnecessary levies” imposed by the NMDPRA. One such levy is a 5% commission on the sale of petrol stations, which IPMAN describes as “anti-developmental and unconstitutional.”
IPMAN’s Threat to Withdraw Services
If the NMDPRA fails to pay the debt within seven days, IPMAN has vowed to withdraw its services nationwide. This means that petrol marketers will stop loading and distributing fuel, which could lead to a nationwide fuel scarcity. IPMAN has also warned that it may collaborate with other industry stakeholders, such as the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), to take further action.
Call for Government Intervention
IPMAN is calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter and ensure that the NMDPRA pays the outstanding debt. The association has urged its members to remain calm and law-abiding while waiting for the government to address their demands.
Background
This is not the first time IPMAN has raised concerns about unpaid bridging claims. In January 2025, the Federal Government promised to clear the N100 billion debt, but no payment has been made since then. The delay has caused significant hardship for petrol marketers, many of whom are struggling to keep their businesses afloat.
What This Means for Nigerians
If IPMAN follows through with its threat to withdraw services, Nigerians could face another round of fuel scarcity, similar to previous episodes that caused long queues at filling stations and skyrocketed fuel prices. This would further strain an already struggling economy and disrupt daily activities for millions of people.
The ongoing dispute between IPMAN and the NMDPRA highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. While IPMAN is fighting for the survival of its members, the Federal Government must act swiftly to resolve the issue and prevent a nationwide fuel crisis.
As the seven-day ultimatum counts down, all eyes are on the government to see if it will fulfill its promise to pay the N100 billion debt or risk another round of fuel scarcity in country.
