…Pleads to Governor Uzodimma, Others for Help
Members of Petroleum Marketers Association under the aegis of Concerned Marketers, Suppliers and Dealers of Petroleum Products Imo State has pleaded for lienency, considerations and protections from the Imo State governor Senator Hope Uzodimma to wade into the provoked illegal collection, extortions, harassment and intimidation case by agent of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria Aba Depot Purportedly using Petroleum Tanker Drivers PTD Task force.
In a letter collectively signed by over 38 Members of the group and addressed to Imo State governor Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Oyoko) through the office of the Chief of Staff Government House, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, ” Call for intervention in the illegal Collection, extortions Harassment and intimidation of Petroleum Products Marketers, Suppliers and Dealers bringing products into Imo State” stated that such actions is a sabotage to the governor and the government of Imo State as it will worsen the economic challenges and hardship as Marketers will probably increased the cost of the products in the State.
The same letter was copied to other relevant authorities for appropriate actions includes, Commandants DSS, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Imo State Commissioner of Police, NSCDC and Commissioner for Petroleum Imo State.
They expressively explained in details their grievances which amounts to economic sabotage, Intimidations and cheating by the accusers and intruders who are catching on the non availability of Petroleum Products at Aba Depot to emotional blackmail them to accept such illegalities to pay unnecessary levies.
Speaking, Comrade Uche Ajala, owners of Switch Oil pointed out that the activities of the Fraudster’s in the Petroleum sector has made government policies counterproductive and called on governor Hope Uzodimma to come into the matter and help them out.
Accordingly, “we wish to draw the attention of the government of Imo State on the above activities of some persons who identify themselves as agents of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and Petroleum Tanker Drivers PTD respectively, these men are stationed at Umuagwo, PH Road, Aba and Onisha Road engaged in activities that are inimical to the peaceful operation of the Petroleum sector in the State”.
“These persons forced Petroleum Marketers and Dealers to pay outrageous levies raging from 17,000 to 30,000 Naira per truck loaded with Petroleum Product before crossing them to it’s destination”. “This practice is illegal considering the facts that all the levies and dues payable by every Marketers as it concerns the product are paid at the Depot and receipts issued at same place as the one on the road amount to double taxation and Extortions”.
“It’s pertinent to note that in spite of the disclaimer issued by the Zonal Chairman IPMAN, Chief Larry Nworu dissociating IPMAN From such illegal activity and fraud the group keeps on with the illegalities” the letter reads.
Comrade Uche Ajala said that the reason for the public out cry is to safe the State from going into more economic hardship as the actions of the extortionists will have adverse effects on the people.