The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, has dissociated itself from a planned protest by a faction of the body in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday.
This came as persons under the aegis of IPMAN had invited newsmen to cover a protest against the State Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, in the government house in Port Harcourt.
The National President of IPMAN, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, in a statement made available to our correspondent said those behind the planned protest are not real marketers of petroleum products, while lauding the state police commissioner for his intervention on the strike by NUPENG and Petrol Tanker Drivers, Ahmed urged security agencies to arrest anyone involved in the said protest.
The statement reads,”The National Executive Committee of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria under the leadership of Alhaji Debo Ahmed, wish to dissociate ourselves from a proposed protest against the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) of NUPENG.
“The promoters of this protest are not real marketers of petroleum products across the state and its environs and the security agencies are called upon to arrest and profile them to avoid unnecessary breakdown of law and order.
“The Supreme Court judgment affirmed the 1997 Constitution of IPMAN which remains the operative instrument of the association, we therefore pass a vote of confidence on the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State and the PTD of NUPENG of Port Harcourt Zonal Council.
“We appreciate the Hon. Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum for their doggedness in ensuring smooth distribution of petroleum products across Rivers States and environs.”
