The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has vowed to intensify the fight against illegal oil theft and oil tankers Blockage of roads in the South-South/South-East region of the country.
IPMAN President, Elder Chinedu Okonronko, noted that though President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have commended IPMAN for its contribution to the drastic drop in the percentage of crude oil theft, the IPMAN will not rest on its oars.
In a statement signed and issued to our correspondent, by the President after the formal inauguration and presentation of letter to the IPMAN Coordinator in Anambra State, Hon. Sunday Chukwuemeka, stated that the IPMAN will no longer tolerate the indiscriminate use of oil tankers to block roads along the states of the South East.
According to him, the South-South/South-East chapters led by Anambra and Bayelsa chapters have done well in the battle against oil theft,”recall that President Buhari and the NNPC agreed that we have assisted in reducing the cases of oil theft and vandalism to 35 per cent. We want to tell all our chapters that we are behind them and we will not relent.”
He warned those involved in the illegal blockage of roads with Petroleum tankers should be warned and will be dealt with,” Petroleum Marketers will not be allowed to engage in illegal activities. The roads should be cleared. “
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Bayelsa Chapter of IPMAN, Hon. Bello Bina, said though the task of confronting illegal activities of pipeline vandals and oil theft is tedious, the members of IPMAN have resolved to confront the oil thieves head-on.
Earlier, the newly appointed Chairman of the Anambra Chapter of IPMAN, Hon. Sunday Chukwuemeka, who was appointed based on his pedigree in the oil and gas sector, assured the President Muhammadu Buhari, IPMAN National Executives and the security agencies of readiness to work and put a stop to illegal activities of vandals, oil thieves and oil tanker owners involved in menace of road Blockage.
Chukwuemeka called on major stakeholders including the Nigerian Police, Joint Military Task Force and IPMAN members assist IPMAN in actualising the mandate trusted upon it by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also warned that anyone caught engaging in unwholesome activities contrary to interest of the Nation’s oil and gas sector would be arrested.
