By: Felix Ikpotor
National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Shetima Garima, has promised better deals for petroleum marketers in the country with a view to making their businesses functional and efficient.
Garima, who made the promise during a strategic visit to the Port Harcourt Unit of the association said the challenge of delayed loading of products and abandoned filling stations faced by members would be tackled.
He used the occasion of the visit to unveil his plan of action to restore normalcy in the association’s operations, promising to ensure availability of the products for members and consumers.
He also declared that the era of factions was gone in the association as they are now one, calling for greater unity amongst members.
Garima also assured that the era of delays in loading of products after submitting their tickets was over for the marketers.
“I will like to tell all IPMAN members that today IPMAN is one. We don’t have any faction and I will assure you that with the way we are going now, all our marketers will go back to their normal business.
“On my way coming I have seen many abandoned filling stations but I assure you that with my coming they will start functioning properly and all your products allocation would be provided to you as due. There will be no more delay in loading.
“The only thing we need from you is to cooperate with your chairman because without your cooperation there won’t be anything achieved,” he stated.
The IPMAN president explained that the temporary closure of the product allocation portal was to clear pending tickets and ensure seamless loading by members.
While noting that the association was working to make products affordable, he further expressed optimism that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery would make products available for consumers nationwide.
He said: “With our extensive retail network, products will be available and affordable, leading to reduced prices,” he noted, adding, “Very soon, the Port Harcourt refinery will start functioning.”
On his part, the Chairman of IPMAN Port Harcourt Unit, Tekena Ikpaki said Garima’s visit has restored hope among members of the unit.
He said the visit which was also to pay a courtesy call on the King of Okochiri Kingdom, Ateke Tom, one of the host communities of the Port Harcourt refinery, was “long overdue”.
He said: “I want to say that this visit is already long overdue. But it is a thing of joy today to bring our National President and his national executives here with us to pay this courtesy to our most exalted King, King Ateke Michael Tom.”
He emphasized that IPMAN in the state is now united and that there is no more factions in the unit.
” I’m here to tell you emphatically that IPMAN is one body today. There is no branches any longer today in IPMAN and for this reason, we have come to see you and to also let you know that I’m working in consonance with the National President”.
Ikpaki expressed delight that the National President has kept to his promise of uniting members of the association.
