The Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products in Nigeria has warned that the failure to redeem their bridging claims of over N500 billion may force them to think of other options, including withdrawing their services.
Briefing the media at the end of their sensitization program in Kano, Tuesday, Consultant to the Association, Dr Morris Ibe explained that their members were owed over N500 billion by the mid -stream and downstream petroleum authorities in Nigeria.
He regretted that they had been complaining about this claim and the dangers the indebtedness constituted to the businesses regretting that nothing significant was being done to address their plights.
“If you are owed the kind of money our members are owed; if your businesses were dying the way their businesses are going under, you will not just threaten to go on strike, you will shut down” he lamented.
When specifically asked if they intended to shut down, he responded that, “We are saying we are not shutting down, we want to negotiate, but at some point, at some point, we may take it to the next level”
He doubted reports that their members had been paid N70 billion out of the N5000 billion, charging the authorities to show proof of payment, including the names of the beneficiaries and how much each beneficiary received.
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“Let us know who you have paid, let us know how much you have paid these people and let it be part of the negotiation and reconciliation” he continued.
“We are calling on them to come to the table and sort out what is due to our members. It is important, it is crucial for our members to continue the wonderful work they are doing in this country” he stated
“The association of distributors and transporters of petroleum products in Nigeria is a very critical and strategic factor in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry”
“Without them nothing is going to move, without them you cannot have oil and gas to drive your vehicles and other necessities, without them this economy can shut down” he cautioned.
He also urged their members to desist from solo efforts to seek their payments, but to work together as a single voice.
“This way, we can have a collaborative effort, instead of one individual going to negotiate and in many cases, he ends up being undermined and underpaid” he stated.