IPMAN threatens to close Ogun outlets over DSS ultimatum

IPMAN warned the DSS to reverse its earlier position of clamping down on its members, and as well apologise to Nigerians for its threat.

By Jeffrey Agbo

Ogun State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to shutdown all its outlets across the state if the Department of State Security (DSS) clamps down on its members.

A statement signed by IPMAN chairman, Femi Adelaja, said the DSS had failed in its sense of reasoning with genuine business operators who do not get product from government’s depot to sell same at government approved price.

Last week, the DSS gave the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and oil marketers a 48-hour ultimatum to make petrol available across the country.

Adelaja, however, noted that the security officials should go after those who are making supplies difficult for IPMAN members.

He said the DSS had chosen the path of dishonour by threatening to go after IPMAN members, whose businesses survive on loans and other credit facilities provided by commercial banks at somewhat high interest rates.

Adelaja described the DSS stance on fuel scarcity as a “ploy by government agency that had failed in its statutory responsibility.”

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IPMAN therefore warned the DSS to reverse its earlier position of clamping down on its members, and as well apologise to Nigerians for its threat.

The statement read, “Rather than for the security operatives to go after those who are making supplies difficult for IPMAN members, they have chosen the path of dishonour by threatening to go after IPMAN members, whose businesses survives on loans and other credit facilities provided by commercial banks at a not-too-friendly interest rate.

“If any of the law enforcing agencies in Nigeria is genuinely concerned about the security of the country, they should go after the NNPCL officials and ensure that they make the product available for independent marketers at the already agreed price and desist from the unnecessary ranting ‘of a wounded lion’.

“IPMAN regarded the DSS stance on this matter as coming from a government agency that is fastly deviating from its statutory responsibility to chasing genuine business investors around all in the name of securing the nation.

“IPMAN however, warned that should the DSS fail to reverse its position and apologise to the peace loving members of the Nigerian society, whose psyche was affected by its earlier statement, we would be left with no alternative than to close all our outlets across Ogun State.”