Demolition: IPMAN threatens to shutdown stations in Anambra, demands compensation

Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Depot has threatened to shutdown all filling stations in Anambra State, should Governor Chukwuma Soludo fails to pay adequate compensation to the members for the filling stations earmarked for demolition.

The Depot Chairman, Chinedu Anyaso gave the threat shortly after emerging from an emergency meeting in Awka to deliberate on the Soludo’s earmarked 13 filling stations for demolition to pave way for a flyover at Ekwulobia, headquarters of Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

Enugu Depot is made up of Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states.

“Anambra government cannot just demolish people’s property without paying compensation,” Anyaso said.

He urged members of the union to be at alert, and shut their stations if Anambra government go ahead to demolish any of the earmarked 13 filling stations.

“These filling stations are the main source of economic stay for the affected families and government cannot create hardship for these families.

“If the government demolishes these filling stations, it will negatively affect the living standard of the affected families. Honestly, government must adequately pay compensation before demolishing the filling stations,” he said .

Anyaso said that the union had written several letters to the governor, but has not received any reply.

He further urged the members not to sign any document from government until studied by the union.

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“We cannot fight the government but we can withdraw our services to the public if the governor refuses to pay compensation before demolition of any of the filling stations. We must all stand by any of our members ,it could be anybody,” he said.

Reacting, Anambra Commissioner for Petroleum, Ifeanyi Ifeanya said that the governor had the right to revoke any property for the public overriding interest.

He, however, said that the government would meet with the group for discussion.

According to him, the matter is a legal issue and the government lawyers must be involved.