The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has given the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) a seven-day ultimatum to settle outstanding bridging claims amounting to N100 billion.
The association has warned that failure to fulfil the payment within the specified time frame will result in a nationwide withdrawal of services.
The announcement came after the NMDPRA failed to honour a commitment made 40 days ago in the presence of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to clear the debt.
According to IPMAN, the situation, if unresolved, could lead to a severe scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the country.
The Chairman of the IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, Yahaya Alhasan, addressed the media on Monday in Abuja, expressing growing frustration over the regulatory body’s lack of action.
Alhasan highlighted that the bridging claims, which have been pending since 2024, were initially deducted from marketers’ payments for products to cover transportation allowances across the country.
Reading from a communiqué, Alhasan stated: “If NMDPRA doesn’t pay our money within seven days, we are going to withdraw our services across the nation.” He stressed that the payment was crucial for the continued operation of fuel distribution and to avoid potential disruptions in supply.
The debt has been a source of mounting tension between IPMAN and NMDPRA, with the marketers citing repeated assurances but no concrete actions to resolve the issue.
As the ultimatum deadline approaches, concerns are growing that a fuel crisis could ensue, exacerbating existing fuel distribution challenges and leading to significant shortages of PMS.
Further updates are expected in the coming days as negotiations continue between the two parties.
