Buhari warns against smuggling petroleum products outside Nigeria

…Urges IPMAN to support FG in tackling menace

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to support the government in ensuring that petroleum products meant for Nigeria are not illegally taken out of the country. The president said that illegal smuggling of petroleum products out of Nigeria is a threat to the nation’s economy and security and must be stopped. Buhari gave the warning on Friday when he received in audience, National Executive Committee of IPMAN led by the National President, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo and the former President Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He urged all IPMAN members to remain committed to complying with the laws and regulations that govern the Nigerian oil and gas sector. Buhari said, “To the IPMAN leadership, I want to ask you to fully collaborate with Government by exposing those members who participate in these illegal activities. “Let me sincerely thank you for the significant support and contributions you have made during 2018 in ensuring Nigerians have adequate supply of petroleum products throughout the year.” He noted the Association used its large network of petrol retail stations across the nooks and crannies of the country to distribute petroleum products sustainably. “I am also very pleased to hear that your members are planning to invest in refinery and petrochemical facilities. This clearly shows that IPMAN, like the APC, also has plans to move to the NEXT LEVEL. I want to assure you that this Administration will fully support this investment which aligns with Nigeria’s Energy Security Agenda. “I sincerely thank you once again for the support and confidence you have shown in this Administration. Rest assured that we will continue to do our best for Nigerians,” the President stated. Meanwhile, stakeholders in the downstream oil sector, under the auspices of IPMAN have endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office. The association said it controls 80 percent stake in the downstream sector with over 50,000 membership base scattered all over the country. Chinedu Okoronkwo, IPMAN National President, also disclosed that IPMAN has concluded plans to build a new refinery in Nigeria, to be cited in Kogi State. According to IPMAN, their decision to endorse Buhari was hinged on stability in the downstream, especially the ability of the Federal Government to checkmate the racketeering that characterised the sector in the past. He said since the inception of the current administration, their investment in the industry stands in the margin of over N2 trillion. Okoronkwo said: “IPMAN controls 80% of investments in the downstream sector of the oil industry with over 50 thousand members scattered throughout Nigeria with more than 2 trillion investment in the oil industry. “Your Excellency, we thank you immensely for all your support to the oil industry which has made it possible that in the last three years we have not witnessed the incessant fuel scarcity which had dogged previous administrations. This is indeed an indication of your managerial capability, sagacity and experience. “By virtue of this, I want to assure you our dear President that all members of our great association are solidly behind you – one hundred percent and are unshaken in our resolve to ensure your re-election. “In the same vein we are committed to ensuring that this good work continues as we pledge our own contributions to ensure the continuous free flow and distribution of petroleum products across the country without any hitches. It is on record that before your emergence, petroleum products distribution was a big racket riddled with highwire scam and decadent corruption. “The perennial fuel scarcity was the noticeable symptom of this malaise. But when you came on board that evil network of graft in the sector was dismantled and the nation is better for it as there is unhindered products availability year round. This new working environment is inspiring more investment by IPMAN members and we are further emboldened to establish a refinery in the near future with your support. “We shall soon furnish your office with detailed presentation of our plans and timelines for the actualisation of this project”.