The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to pay contractors the sum of N900 million owed them for supplying Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) to power streetlights before they were stopped.
The Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community in charge of Anambra, Ebony and Enugu States, Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, made the call in Awka on Friday.
Anyaso said the contractor had complied with the directive of the government to return all the generators in their custody as a condition to recover their debts following termination of the contract.
He warned that marketers in the State may have to suspend operations without further notice until the government pays them.
He further lamented that the marketers are heavily indebted to their lenders, adding that their businesses are distressed because of their trapped capital.
Anyaso said IPMAN had written the Anambra State government to inform it that they have met the conditions set for them to pay the marketers their money.
A copy of the letter said the IPMAN General Assembly is eagerly waiting for the response of the Anambra State government to their demand.
The letter titled “Request For Debt Payment of N900,664,805.00 owed our members for diesel supplied and services rendered in respect of street lights”, was addressed to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.
“We refer to your response on the above subject, dated November 3 on the report of some vendors that are yet to return some of Government-owned generator sets allotted to them for the street lights projects.
“Be informed, Sir, that all the generators have been fully returned to the Government.
“We, therefore, humbly request that the debt payments owed our members for diesel supplied and services rendered be treated and paid as promised,” it said.
– NAN