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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, Enugu Depot has warned it would be forced to shut down selling of fuel in Anambra State within the next two weeks over attacks on members.
The Association accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration of over-taxing its members, clamping on their businesses, and arresting them.
This is coming as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, on Thursday, vowed to stop lifting petroleum products beginning next week Monday due to the high cost of operations.
IPMAN Chairman, Mr Chinedu Anyaso, gave the warning on Friday, shortly after he was re-elected to pilot the Affairs of the association for a second term of three years.
He promised to continue working hard to ameliorate the difficulties facing its members in their businesses.
He alleged that despite the Association having an agreement with the state government, the Anambra State Waste Management Authority, signage officials, and Ocha Brigade officials were always coming to demand money, arrest and detain IPMAN members and their workers.
According to him, all efforts to call the attention of the Anambra State Government to the issue have proved abortive.
He regretted that some of the IPMAN members having businesses in Anambra State were taken to court and jailed or given the option of fines due to their refusal to comply with over-taxation.
He said, “Since the removal of the fuel subsidy, members of IPMAN have continued to find it difficult to survive the harsh business environment confronting all business concerns in the country.
“Even as they are struggling to keep business afloat and retain their workers, Anambra state government in its quest to surge-up its internal revenue has come so hard on individual members and their business outfits in the area.
“The latest development also undermines agreement with various state governments that IPMAN will be paying a collective tax to ensure all members pay and check issues of multiple taxation.”
The IPMAN boss, however, applauded Ebonyi and Enugu State governments for cooperating and supporting its members and their activities as well as state governments of some parts of Imo, Abia, Kogi and Cross River States where its members operate as well.
He noted that IPMAN members had been a great pillar of support in the past three years he has been at the helm of the group, making it possible for the association to achieve some milestones noting that his re-election is a call to do more.
