The chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Aba Depot, Oliver Okolo, has called upon the South-East National Assembly Caucus to intervene in the long-standing crisis that has paralyzed operations at the Aba and Enugu depots.

In an interview with the Vistanaij Media on Tuesday, Okolo highlighted the dire state of the NNPC Aba depot, which has been non-functional for approximately two years, leading to severe economic consequences for IPMAN members and other associated businesses.

He emphasized that the closure of the depot has resulted in the shutdown of at least 2,000 direct and indirect businesses that relied on the depot’s daily activities. When the depot was operational at around 40% capacity, it supported numerous ancillary businesses and provided employment for approximately 600 truck drivers and their support personnel.

Okolo further mentioned the significant impact on vendors selling food, assorted goods, water, drinks, and other products that were sustained by the depot’s functioning. Unfortunately, all these businesses have been forced to close due to the depot’s inactivity.

IPMAN is now seeking the intervention of the Southeast National Assembly Caucus to address the crisis and revive operations at the Aba and Enugu depots.