The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a statement warning of an impending fuel scarcity in the South-East region, as well as certain areas in the South-South and Middle Belt states.

The notice, signed by the zonal chairman, Prince Bobby Eberechi Dick, and the zonal secretary, Emmanuel Inimgba, expressed concern over the non-payment of their bridging claims despite their counterparts in the Northern zone receiving their payments.

The statement emphasized the urgent need for the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Downstream/Midstream Petroleum Regulatory to settle their bridging claims, citing the payment made to marketers in the North-West and North-East zones since the removal of subsidies on May 29, 2023, without any outstanding amounts owed.

IPMAN appealed to the Minister of State for Petroleum to intervene promptly, not only to safeguard their business but also to protect their members from losing properties used as collateral in banks where these funds are tied up with the defunct Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF).

The association made it clear that if the funds are not released by the end of November 2023, they will have no choice but to withdraw their services from the general public, as they cannot allow their hard-earned properties to be seized by banks.