The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to settle outstanding bridging claims amounting to N100 billion.
The association warned that failure to clear the debt within the stipulated timeframe would result in the withdrawal of services, a move that could trigger a nationwide fuel shortage.
The ultimatum follows the NMDPRA’s failure to fulfill its commitment to pay the claims, despite assurances given 40 days ago in the presence of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, Yahaya Alhasan, voiced frustration over the continued delay in payments.
Reading from a communiqué, Alhasan emphasized that the unpaid claims—deducted from marketers’ payments for products as bridging allowances—had been outstanding since 2024.
“If NMDPRA doesn’t pay our money within seven days, we are going to withdraw our services across the nation,” he stated.
The looming strike raises concerns over a potential nationwide scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which could further strain fuel supply and distribution across the country.
