IPMAN faults stoppage of fuel subsidy removal

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), yesterday, faulted the Federal Government’s reversal of the decision to remove fuel subsidy.

According to the association, lack of political will and the fear of planned protest by labour unions were responsible for the government’s decision.

The Federal Government had on Tuesday suspended its plan to remove fuel subsidy in June. It also shifted the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act by 18 months.

Reviewing the development, IPMAN National President, Chinedu Okoronkwo, said the government only postponed the evil day, alleging that great fraud is being perpetrated in the fuel subsidy regime.

Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties to the Chairman, National Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism, Petroleum Product Adulteration and Monitoring, Nwozuzu Chigozie, who spoke on behalf of the IPMAN president, warned that the country would in the future suffer for the government’s decision.

While accusing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of stopping a ‘major’ reform in the oil industry, the IPMAN boss lamented the alleged disparity in consumption and distribution figures of fuel that the country is getting from concerned government agencies.

He said: “Fuel subsidy over the years has not really helped the economy. If we have our way, we would sue government or try to get a court injunction stopping them from doing so because it pays no one and the process is done in secrecy and corruption.

“The public knows nothing and there’s much emphasis about petrol which is hyping the system and that’s unnecessary. I believe Nigerians should hold Labor accountable for whatever happens. When they were gingering for massive protest, they should have known that money was involved. Federal roads are bad and labour is not talking about it.”

“The country is already grounded. Why is government scared of planned labour strike and not wellbeing of Nigerians? I think the government should be more scared that people do not have access to modern facilities, don’t have access to health facilities and at all.”