IPMAN threatens strike over customs’ seizure of petrol products

 The Adamawa State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has warned of a possible industrial clash with the Nigeria Customs Service.

This follows the recent seizure and sales of petrol products by customs personnel in the state.

IPMAN also threatened to cease operations completely, planning to down tools in protest against the ongoing confiscation of petroleum products by the Customs in Adamawa, which they argued was harmful to economic growth.

Last Thursday, the Customs announced the seizure of 199,495 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, known as petrol, with a Duty Paid Value worth N199.5m in the state.

The Comptroller General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, at the press briefing explained that the seizure was made under Operation Whirlwind, in a joint effort with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to combat smuggling of petroleum products.

He noted that the seized products were intercepted through intelligence-driven operations and well-coordinated tactics to disrupt sophisticated smuggling attempts.

 The seized petroleum products were auctioned to the residents of Adamawa State at the rate of N630 per litre in some designated filling stations, while those in 25 litres jerrycans will be disposed at N10,000 each.

Reacting to the incident, oil marketers in the state have strongly clarified that the seized and auctioned products were not smuggled, emphasising that the goods were legitimately sourced and were in full compliance with regulations.

The IPMAN National Publicity Secretary, Ukadike Chinedu, in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, expressed the grievances of its members, detailing the concerns of the association and highlighting the impact of recent actions on petroleum marketers in the region.

Chinedu stated that the Customs Service, contrary to its stated policy, did not hesitate to seize petrol products, even when presented with documents proving the legitimate purchase of the goods.

He said, “Customs recently auctioned petroleum products in Yola and our marketers were crying that some of these products were legitimately bought from refineries and were being transported to their filling stations which are not near the border. Also, who empowered customs to arrest such trucks and auction them?

 “These marketers have invested their monies into the business and they are now threatening to go on strike if that kind of reckless seizure continues. The marketers said they have their receipts and other necessary documents but customs still seized and sold them.”

When reminded of the CGC comments that the tanker was seized at border areas, Ukadike quipped, “The claim that it was seized at border areas is a lie. There are communities and filling stations and they deserve to get products. Did the products even cross the border before they were seized?

“The Petroleum Industry Act stated clearly that there should be free movement of petroleum products within the country. They can only seize products when there are no filling stations where the tankers claim to be headed, then you know it’s a lie. If there is a filling station, Customs don’t have a right to stop them. They have threatened to go on strike and that will happen soon, if this issue persists.”

He further demanded an immediate resolution to the issue, warning that failure to address the matter could escalate into a full-blown industrial action.