• Friday, March 29, 2024
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Buhari urges IPMAN to help end fuel smuggling

Government cannot continue to make up for tariff shortfalls in power sector – President Buhari

President Muhamamdu Buhari on Friday, charged members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), to help tackle fuel smuggling.

The President who noted that the smuggling of petroleum products from Nigeria to other neighboring countries was constituting a serious economic sabotage, also charged members to help expose the smugglers

The President stated this when he received the National Executive Committee of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, on a courtesy call, at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The National President, Chinedu Okoronkwo led the group to the meeting which took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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The President also commended particularly happy to note that you have used your detailed large network to ensure the availability of petroleum products all year round.

He also commended the Organisation for its plans to build refineries

Speaking earlier, the National President of IPMAN, Chinedu Okoronkwo, announced that the organization had at its meeting prior to the journey had agreed to endorse President Muhamamdu Buhari for a second term

He noted that IPMAN controls about 80% of investments in the downstream sector of the oil industry, has over 50 thousand members scattered throughout Nigeria with more than 2 trillion investment in the oil industry

“Mr. President, let me assure you that we are ready to work more closely with you to summount other hurdles in the industry as we have great confidence in your inspirational leadership.

“By virtue of this, I want to assure you our dear President that all members of our great association are solidly behind you – one hundred percent and are unshaken in our resolve to ensure your re-election bid

Okoronkwo applauded the President’s support to the oil industry which has led to the elimination of fuel scarcity that dogged previous administrations.

“This is indeed an indication of your managerial capability, sagacity and experience.

“In the same vein we are committed to ensuring that this good work continues as we pledge our own contributions to ensure the continuous free flow and distribution of petroleum products across the country without any hitches.

“It is on record that before your emergence, petroleum products distribution was a big racket riddled with highwire scam and decadent corruption.

“The perennial fuel scarcity was the noticeable symptom of this malaise. But when you came on board that evil network of graft in the sector was dismantled and the nation is better for it as there is unhindered products availability year round.