PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The Cross River State branch of The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has shut down its operations in the state over alleged harassment by police operatives.
Chairman of IPMAN, in the state, Mr. Robert Obi, who spoke on behalf of the petroleum marketers in Calabar, stated that the action follows incessant harassment of its members in the Eastern Zone by men of the Nigeria Police Force.
Mr. Obi stated that whatever that has happened in the state leading to IPMAN bringing its services to a halt is in compliant with the directive of IPMAN national body.
The state IPMAN chairman stated that until security operatives begin to treat its members with some level of courtesy before they can make a U- turn.
“The duration of the strike is uncertain as it emanates from the national president of the association”. He maintained.
However, a message from IPMAN’s National President, Alhaji (Engr.) Sanusi Fari, sighted by our correspondent in Calabar, stated that marketers in the Sout- East and South-South are constantly being harassed and intimidated by the police, adding that the only way to check that impunity is to down their tools.
“The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Eastern Zone wish to state with dismay, the incessant attack by men of Nigeria police force at our Secretariats in Port Harcourt, Aba, Calabar, Enugu and Makurdi Depots. Sequel to this ugly development
“The NEC of IPMAN has resolved and directed that we should withdraw our services immediately from all loading depots and if police continue to attack our Secretariats, we will be compelled to withdraw our services from the public”, he said.
In compliance with the directive, IPMAN in Cross River State have withdrawn their services and stopped loading fuel at fuel depot’s in calabar.
Our correspondent, who took a walk to the NNPC Depot in Calabar, observed that the normal business activities at the depot has been put to hold.
Apart from long queues of petroleum tankers waiting outside the NNPC depot with non of the tankers loading the product, activity at the premises was in a halt within the massive facility as drivers were seen in splinter groups discussing about the strike action.
Meanwhile residents of the state have made a passionate appeal to the IPMAN and authority of the Nigerian police to have a rethink in order to avert possible economic hardship that is likely to be inflicted to members of the public given the fact that petroleum is a major determinant of the economy.
In a swift reaction to the issue, The Police Public Relations Officers, (PPRO) Cross River State Command, Irene Ugbo who spoke on the issue said, “I do not think that there is any harassment of IPMAN members by our men, at least, we have a good working relationship with IPMAN, if they feel that their members have been facing any form of intimidation, by our men,its left for them to come and lay complaints to the command.