Northern petroleum marketers threaten strike over unpaid claims

Petroleum marketers, under the aegis of the Northern Independent Petroleum Marketers Forum, have threatened to withdraw their services due to a “difficult operating environment” due to unpaid transportation claims since June last year. Speaking on behalf of the forum in Kano, Alhaji Gana Girgiri, said the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF)’s reluctance to pay marketers’ transportation […]

Petroleum marketers, under the aegis of the Northern Independent Petroleum Marketers Forum, have threatened to withdraw their services due to a “difficult operating environment” due to unpaid transportation claims since June last year.

Speaking on behalf of the forum in Kano, Alhaji Gana Girgiri, said the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF)’s reluctance to pay marketers’ transportation claims is gradually forcing marketers out of business, adding that they were left with no option but to withdraw their services if the situation lingers.

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He said despite several attempts to get PEF to respond to their demand, the marketers were not getting any positive response.

“Even though we pay N35 to transport a litre to our respective states while PEF pays us only N22 per litre, we were not complaining but the issue is that most of us didn’t receive our payment since June 2021 and some of us have outstanding claims dated 2020 and yet we kept operating.

“We want to let the authorities understand that we can no longer cope and if things are not put in order we will be left with no option but to withdraw our services,” said Girgiri.

A member of the forum, Alhaji Jamilu Maitama, told Daily Trust that most members are going bankrupt due to the unpaid claims that have risen to billions of Nairas.

According to him, the current fuel scarcity will no doubt linger should authorities allow the forum to withdraw its services.

Alhaji Maitama urged the authorities to effect payment to save the situation, especially as the Ramadan fasting period is approaching.

“Should the marketers withdraw their services at this critical point when the Muslim fasting period is approaching, the fuel crisis will be compounded and the situation will get worst.

“I urged the authorities to as a matter of utmost importance do something to avert the withdrawal of the service,” he said.