Fuel Marketers Threaten to Withdraw Services over Unpaid N50bn Claims

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Fuel marketers under the aegis of Northern Independent Petroleum Marketers Forum have lamented that the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) is yet to settle their bridging claim to the tune of over N50 billion for over nine month.
The marketers lamented an incident that forced many of them out of the business.

In a statement issued by the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Musa Maikifi, and issued to journalists in Kano yesterday, it said for the past nine month, they had made efforts to get their money paid but to no avail.

According to the statement, “If this continues in this way, so many of us will have to close down our fuel stations. This will add to the fuel scarcity in the region because the marketers have no capital.

“The federal government couldn’t settle our claims of over N50 billion. We met the authorities involved and they promised to pay us but yet they haven’t. So, that is why we are here to plead with them to pay us our unsettled claims so that we can continue our business smoothly.”

It said they formed the Northern Independent Petroleum Marketers Forum to always have one voice that will speak on their behalf, adding that the leadership crisis rocking the IPMAN has also added to their burden which their forum is ready to address.

Also, on his part, the Secretary of the Forum, Alhaji Zarma Mustapha, said the bridging claims were supposed to have been paid within two weeks, but for months now, they have not been settled, and that over 3,000 marketers from the North are involved.

“One thing that will surprise you is that this money does not belong to the government. It is generated from the consumers that purchased fuel from us (marketers), while the NNPC gathered the money and then paid us through PEF, but still they hold our money,” he said.