…as Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee keeps mum
By Our Correspondent
The leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Akwa Ibom State Chapter has directed its members to close down their filling stations in compliance with its national directives.
In a statement jointly signed by the state Chairman, Francis Udoyen and State Secretary, Ekom Idemudo, IPMAN revealed that the strike was due to unresolved issues involving its members with the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state.
“Following the resolution of the general congress at our last month general meeting in view of the recent strike by PTD-NUPENG over some unresolved issues involving our members’ seized/burnt trucks by the operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state, you are hereby directed to comply with that collective decision as follows:
All Members’ filling station in Akwa Ibom state must withdraw their services to the public till further notice”, the statement noted.
While threatening that defaulting companies would be sanctioned, IPMAN said: “Effective date is 7th day of August, 2025 (Thursday) and time is 6:00am till further directive.
All defaulting companies shall be sanctioned in line with the necessary provisions of our policies and procedures.
Note: Total compliance is our watchwords. Aluta continua, Victoria ascerta”.
As at press time, neither the Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC) headed by a former member of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Godwin Ekpo nor any authority of the state government had yet to issue a statement on the development.
Our paper gathered that Hon. Ekpo who is also a former Ibiono Ibom local government Chairman, also owns filling stations in the state.
Meanwhile, residents of the state who spoke to our Correspondent have expressed their displeasures over the strike, maintaining that it would deepen hardship in the state.
