The Independent Petroleum Marketers Associa of Nigeria (IPMAN) plans to safeguard fuel pump integrity at filling stations by tackling cheating and other malpractices.

Chairman of IPMAN in Enugu, Chinedu Anyaso, disclosed this on Sunday in Enugu shortly after the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Enugu unit of IPMAN covers independent petroleum marketers in Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi States, as well as parts of Abia, Imo, Kogi, and Cross River States.

Mr Anyaso said members unanimously agreed to uphold the integrity of fuel pumps to ensure Nigerians received value for their money.

He stressed that IPMlN was committed to maintaining its reputation for service and product excellence, adding, “IPMAN resolved and planned to set up a task force to ensure compliance of all members to fuel pump integrity.”

According to him, the task force will be inaugurated in September and operate through dedicated teams in each state under the unit.

“In order to sanitise the system and ensure that the reputation of IPMAN and our members’ fuel stations is maintained, the members during the AGM unanimously agreed that fuel pump cheating and malpractice must be stopped.

“IPMAN will set up a daily mandate task force soon, while the association’s members collectively agreed on a heavy monetary fine as well as sanctions for any defaulting fuel station owned by any member,” he said.

He noted that the association had resolved to be firm in dealing with the menace through its own internal disciplinary mechanism, just as the association eradicated stocking bad fuel.

The chairman said the IPMAN Enugu unit also appreciated the strides of various governors and state governments on development, especially road and security infrastructure in the unit’s states of coverage.

Mr Anyaso noted that the members unanimously agreed that they would again write to Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra on the IGR of fuel stations in Anambra.

“We commend him for the discussion so far; however, we are calling all involved to come to a round table and resolve their differences and come to an amicable compromise for the benefit of all,” he said.

The chairman said members also resolved to write to Mr Soludo again on the over N900 million debt owed to IPMAN members who supplied diesel for the running of streetlights in the state.

“The Anambra State government debt has been recurring for the past one year, notwithstanding three official letters and direct appeals to the governor and functionaries of the state concerned. Till now, nothing has been done,” he stated.

Mr Anyaso said the association was taking the diplomatic route to avoid industrial action by marketers.

“If IPMAN members go on strike, it is clear that a litre of fuel (petrol) might go up to about between N2,000 and N3,000 in the state, as well as other attendant negative impacts of such a move,” the IPMAN boss said.

Mr Anyaso noted that within a few months, eight IPMAN members in Anambra, who the state government was owing, had died due to stress and shock from pressure by financial institutions demanding aggressive loan repayments.

“Some of them, the financial institutions have taken over their stations, some closed already, and many laid off their staff due to financial incapacitation,” he said.

The chairman noted that members also deliberated on welfare issues, better ways of lifting petrol products and how to participate in the Dangote Direct Sales and Delivery Scheme, as well as the JEZCO Oil and Gas offer to assist members.

(NAN)