Rivers border closure: IPMAN warns members against night movements


Tina Amanda

Following the border movement restrictions by the Rivers State government, Petroleum Marketers have been called upon to reduce their night operation hours.

State Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, IPMAN, Dr Joseph Obele, who made the call on Wednesday, advised all her members to close their daily sales on or before 8 pm for the security of their personnel and facilities.

According to him, Marketers should plan all personnel movements within and outside the state effectively, in order not to break the border restriction order.

“The state of our nation is currently confronted with security threats and there is no state that can be described as a safe zone at the moment.

“You can agree with me that we have critical assets in the nation as it concerns our trucks, Products, staff and retail outlets.

“Following the border movement restrictions in and out of Rivers State as announced by the governor of Rivers State, Marketers can reduce the night operation hours as our national security situation is unpredictable.

“Marketers don’t have any form of exemption at the moment and they should notify family members about their movement at any point.

“Marketers should go about their normal business activities with eagle eyes at the moment, avoid any public gatherings for now and report any suspicious sight to the nearest police station.”

He urged Petroleum Marketers in the state not to use border restriction as an excuse to sell above the fuel pump price of 165 to 175 naira per litre.

“Marketers should maintain the station selling rate of #165 to #175 per litre because private depots are still selling to us at #155.”

Comrade Obele further commended PPMC and NNPC Management for the commencement process of the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation which started yesterday 27th April 2021.

“Marketers should remain hopeful as the turn around maintenance process of the Port Harcourt refinery has commenced yesterday, with steaming of the Area 5 plant (old refinery) for the purpose of flushing the tunnels in preparation for the turn around maintenance kicking off by next week.

Comrade Obele appealed to his members to support the Nigerian police by donating little fuel for their patrol vans.