Petroleum marketers suspend planned shutdown in Anambra
Members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Anambra have suspended their planned strike action in the state due to commence of Sept.3.
The shutdown was to protest multiple levies by government agencies, harassment by police and indebtedness by Transport Company of Anambra State (TRACAS) to one of them, Siluch Oil and Gas Limited.
Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community announced the suspension on Wednesday saying both parties had met and reached some agreements which addressed their demands.
IPMAN on Aug.4 issued an ultimatum to shutdown the state after 21 working days if the government did not revert to the unified annual levy agreed by government and IPMAN and also withdraw all court cases against their members.
Anyaso said the suspension was based on the communiqué jointly signed by his association and Anambra government after a meeting.
Prof Solo Chukwulobelu Secretary to Anambra Government signed for the state government while Anyaso signed for IPMAN.
The communiqué stated that at the end of the meeting, the following resolutions were reached: that the Internally Generated Revenue Payable by IPMAN members which had been N100, 000 per station since 2017 will continue till Dec. 31.
It said the Anambra Internal Revenue Service will meet with the leadership of IPMAN to renegotiate the new rate(s) that will apply from 2021.
It said those who were yet to pay for the subsisting levy of N100,000 for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 must clear these arrears immediately, but no later than 30th September 2020.
“Anambra government will suspend all pending Court Cases against members of the Depot Community who are currently in default of payment of these levies, this suspension apples until Sept. 30,” it stated.
On the indebtedness TRACAS to Siluch Oil and Gas limited, the parties agreed that the Commissioner for Transport will review the claims and send memo to the governor within seven days.
They however said it was a private commercial transaction which should not be matter for industrial action.
The communiqué also mandated the Special Adviser Legal and Petroleum Resources to facilitate a meeting between IPMAN leadership and Commissioner of Police to understand the scope of IGP’s monitoring team within one week.
“Government will provide a suitable land within one month and a certificate of occupancy will be held in the name of ministry of transport, the depot community on its part will provide a detailed business proposal on financing and management,” it said.
