Disturbed by the Anambra State government’s failure to pay the sum of N900 million owed to their contractors, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to suspend its operations in the State.
This outstanding debt accrued from the supply of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) used to power streetlights in the State before the project was terminated by the government.
According to the body, upon the Anambra State Government’s termination of the contract to supply AGO for streetlights and the subsequent directive to return all generators in their possession, the contractors immediately complied in good faith.
However, despite returning the generators as instructed, the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration is yet to settle the N900,664,805 debt owed to the contractors as promised.
Chairman of the IPMAN Enugu Depot Community responsible for Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu states, Mr Chinedu Anyaso, who spoke on the development in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Friday, said the delay has caused severe financial strain on the marketers contracted, leading to substantial indebtedness to their creditors and significant disruption to their businesses due to the tied-up capital.
Anyaso also said IPMAN had formally notified the Anambra government about meeting the specified conditions to facilitate payment to the marketers.
He explained that regrettably the IPMAN General Assembly’s demands, which centre around the diesel supplied and services provided for streetlights, are yet to receive any positive response from the Anambra government.
In a letter titled; “Request For Debt Payment of N900,664,805.00 Owed to Our Members for Diesel Supplied and Services Rendered in Respect Of Street Lights,” IPMAN said; “We refer to your response on the above subject, dated Nov. 3 on the report of some vendors that are yet to return some of the Government-owned generator sets allotted to them for the street lights projects.”
Addressed to the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, the letter further said; “Be informed, Sir, that all the generators have been fully returned to the Government.
“We, therefore, humbly request that the debt payments owed our members for diesel supplied and services rendered be treated and paid as promised.”
Anyaso said IPMAN may be forced to carry out its threat if the State government continues to demonstrate insensitivity towards their members’ plight going forward.
