By Oluwatosin Maliki
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has expressed displeasure over the non-functional state of the Port Harcourt Refinery, while noting that the situation has pushed many marketers out of business.
This was revealed during the Port Harcourt Depot Unit‘s 2023 Annual General Meeting/Election, which was held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, where Tekena Ikpaki, emerged as the new elected Chairman.
While addressing newsmen, Ikpaki charged the Federal Government to quickly resolve the issue by completing the ongoing repairs at the refinery.
Also, he stated that his administration will ensure better leadership of the body, advising that the facility be completed on time and put into use in order to salvage their business operations.
While pointing out that the delay was affecting businesses in the area, Ikpaki stated, “We will bring in new ideas into the leadership of the body. We were elected to manage the activities of IPMAN. We want to make a difference.”
“It is our sole duty to make sure that everybody is satisfied, even if man’s desires are insatiable. We will try our best to ensure that products that will come from the refinery when it is complete gets to our members and then it gets to our communities.”
“The non-functionality of the refinery has crippled a lot of businesses, and a lot of people have gone out of business. People who cannot sustain themselves with the little that is available to them.”
“Goods and services as we know moving from one part of the country to another is transportation and this works with petroleum products. The dilapidation of the refinery has affected movement of goods and services.”
Speaking, the Zonal Chairman, System 2E of IPMAN, Prince Bobby-Ibekwe, expressed optimism over the repair of the Port Harcourt Refinery, saying it would fully commence operation in early 2024.
Furthermore, Bobby-Ibekwe urged the newly elected executives of the body to ensure that its members get enough products to sell when the Port Harcourt Refinery begins full operation.
Additionally, he spoke on the economic realities in the country hence, he challenged the Port Harcourt Unit executive of IPMAN to prioritize and protect the interest of IPMAN and members of the public in order to reduce the suffering being experienced by Nigerians, due to the harsh economic climate.