The Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has dissociated itself from the allegations made by one Bashir Tahr against the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) bordering on extortions.
A statement by the National Secretary of IPMAN, John Kekeocha, titled: “A Rejoinder to the spurious and malicious allegation by one Bashir Tahr on the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) just to malign the union,” which was made available to journalists on Saturday in Abuja, described the allegations as scandalous and targeted at maligning and disparaging the activities of the PTD/NUPENG.
“The National Executive Committee of the Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (lPMAN), led by Alhaji Debo Ahmed, has reacted to refute the very malicious and demeaning allegations made by one Bashir Tahr against the petroleum tanker drivers bordering on extortion.
“In the first place, the lPMAN North-West Zonal Chairman is Alhaji Sanusi Tenten. It is, therefore, embarrassing to the association when Bashir Tahr from the blues started to malign and disparage the activities of the PTD.
“Over time, the Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria ( lPMAN) has always been in a harmonious and symbiotic relationship with the PTD/NUPENG and, therefore, will not keep quiet to this scandalous impressions marketed by Bashir Tahr.
According to the statement: “We have always been partners in the distribution of petroleum products in the downstream and as such, we condemn in eloquent and strong terms this disturbing and laughable impression the Bashir Tahr seems to portray.
“It’s even more laughable when one says he pays PTD a huge some of N200,000. This means there is something you have not yet told the public you did that made you pay such money.
“The assertion that you have been fighting the PTD who you said are your workers since 10 years sounds ridiculous.
“IPMAN, under the watchful eyes of the President, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, has always frowned at sharp practices and illegalities.
“This is why over time the issue of petroleum products diversion is but a thing of the past.
“This is not to say that there are not still some bad eggs and if you engage in it and you paid the cost does not mean you have to smear the image of the union in bad light.
“We are surely aware of the statutory monies given to drivers as dispatches where loading expenses are done and which is mutual and has not raised eyebrows in our relationship with the PTD.
“We are pained with the false allegations and, therefore, chose to come out to debunk it comprehensively. It will be injudicious to mislead the public with your unguided and baseless allegations and we keep quiet over it. But note that he who goes to equity must go with clean hands.
“Marketers are, therefore, implored to go about their normal businesses and shun this type of distraction at this time, which could be a fabrication of some individuals to put spanners in the smooth running the government of the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The statement added: “Note that it’s not every voice that the sheep hears she follows. We know our leaders and when they speak we hear” read parts of the statement.
