|
Listen to article
|
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has written to Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, requesting the payment of ₦900.7 million for the expenses incurred in fueling generators for street lights by its members.
It is estimated that about 70 contractors are awaiting payment for the diesel supplied to the state government for powering streetlights throughout the state for two months.
The letter, bearing the signatures of Chairman Chinedu Anyaso and Secretary Emeka Iloafor, specifies that the debt incurred is between the months of March and April 2022.
According to the association, the choice to seek the governor’s intervention was made during its annual general meeting, which was convened on August 24 in Enugu.
Read also: Mbah Vows To Construct 20,000 Housing Units For Workers
IPMAN explained that its members delivered the diesel shortly after the departure of the previous administration, but they received instructions from the Soludo administration to cease the supply.
The association reached out to the governor, making a plea for the settlement of verified outstanding debts. This step, they said is essential to assist members who are in danger of going out of business.
IPMAN also noted that the marketers had their trading capital locked with the government, and those who had acquired bank loans were facing a liquidity crisis due to their inability to meet debt servicing obligations.
The letter read: ‘Sir, we want to bring to your notice that your department in charge of paying for diesel and services on the Anambra streetlights has refused to offset an outstanding debt owed to our members.’
‘The debt is to the tune of N900,664,805 accrued for the months of March and April 2022.’
‘Our members are dying because of these debts and the banks are chasing them around to repay the loans given to them to do this business. We attach the breakdown of the debts for your records, sir.’
Mr. Collins Nwabunwanne, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs in the state, whose office managed the transaction, acknowledged being informed about the contractors’ transactions and challenges. He assured that the government would take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
