From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Edo State Branch, has served notice to the state government of its plan to suspend sales of petroleum products across the state over deplorable conditions of roads in the state, portending imminent fuel scarcity.
In letter dated Monday, September 25, 2023 and addressed to the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Union issued a seven days ultimatum to the government to carry out emergency repair on the failed portion of the roads, which it listed to include Benin-Agbor Road, Benin-Sapele Road, the Sapele Road end of the Benin bypass and the Lagos Road end of the expressway as well as the Benin-Auchi Express Road.
The IPMAN letter signed by Its Chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamad Baba Saliu and others is titled “Notice of Intention to Shut Down Sales of All Petroleum Products in Edo State Due to the Bad Roads in Edo State”.
“As law abiding citizens who pay their taxes to the state government, we write that the huge financial losses, we do suffer as a result of bad roads in Edo State is taking a huge toll on our business.
“We are by this letter notifying Your Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki of our intention and also as responsible citizens to make you understand why we have to take this step.
“That failure of the Edo State Government to carry out palliative repairs on the said roads stated above within seven days of this letter being served, all members and all petroleum marketers in Edo State will be forced to suspend sales of all petroleum products in Edo State until the roads are repaired”, the letter read.