Nigerian petroleum marketers, IPMAN threatens strike in South-east over heavy taxes, arrest of members

The association claimed that the government of Governor Chukwuma Soludo was imposing excessive taxes on its members and imposing restrictions on their companies.

The Anambra State branch of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), Enugu Depot, has threatened to cease operations due to purported member arrests.

The association claimed that the government of Governor Chukwuma Soludo was imposing excessive taxes on its members and imposing restrictions on their companies.

Giving the warning on Friday, shortly after being re-elected to lead the organization’s operations for a another three-year term, IPMAN Chairman Mr. Chinedu Anyaso pledged to keep up his hard effort to lessen the challenges its members face in running their businesses.

According to him, the problem is particularly common in Anambra State, where IPMAN members and their employees were being arrested and detained by ASWAMA, Ocha Brigade officials, and signage officials despite the Association’s agreement with the state government.

He claims that all attempts to bring the Anambra State Government’s attention to the matter have failed and produced no results.

He was sorry to hear that certain IPMAN members with Anambra State firms were either fined or sent in jail for not complying with excessive and unlawful taxation.

“Since the fuel subsidy was eliminated, IPMAN members have encountered a challenging business climate that affects all commercial enterprises in the nation,” he stated.

“The Anambra state government has made a great deal of hardships for individual members and their businesses in the area, even as they struggle to maintain operations and retain employees in order to increase internal revenue.”

The agreement that IPMAN will pay a collective tax to guarantee that all members pay and monitor concerns of multiple taxation is further undermined by the most recent development with state governments.

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The IPMAN head, however, praised the state governments of Ebonyi, Enugu, and some areas of Imo, Abia, Kogi, and Cross River States, where its members also operate, for their cooperation and support of its members and their activities.

He stated that throughout his three years in office, IPMAN members had been a tremendous source of support, enabling the association to accomplish several significant goals. However, he also pointed out that his reelection calls for increased accountability.