The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Anambra State chapter has directed its members to embark on total shutdown operation of petrol distribution and sales over alleged multiple taxation and harassment by agents of government in the state.
They vowed to close business activities within 21 working days if the environment fails to improve with effect from Wednesday.
The resolutions formed major decisions taken at an enlarged meeting of IPMAN members held on Wednesday in Awka the state capital.
They lamented the harsh business environment where levies paid by individuals are in differential from one area to the other across the 21 local government areas and also at outrageous levels.
Chairman of IPMAN in the state, Comrade Chinedu Anyaso told newsmen that the members are saddled with multifaceted issues of levies and non-settlement of bills. Diesel has been supplied to the Anambra state government to run street lights for the past three years.
Speaking on the levy imposed on members, Anyaso said that last year, filling stations were made to pay N120,000 through the Inland Revenue Service.
He explained that this year, the task was taken away from the Inland Revenue Service and handed over to the local government councils.
According to him, the local governments at the moment impose different levies on filling stations ranging from N500,000 to anything they deem fit.
To worsen the matter, Anyaso said, “All efforts to reach the local governments proved abortive. Now they go about molesting our men. So, we now tell the state government that after 21 days, we will shut down our services. We are calling regulators of the petroleum industry to order.”
He pointed that, “We are not having any problems with the state government, but we are calling on the state government to order”.
“Our rights will not be trampled upon; we should not be molested. Instead, let us stay around the table, and with that, we should not be molested by the state government”. Anyaso said they must agree on a figure as a levy to guide members.
In reaction, Special Adviser to the National Chairman of IPMAN on Pipeline and Adultration in Enugu, Anambra, and Enugu, Chief Linus Mgbakogu, described Anambra’s business environment as very hostile.
He stated that his members would have taken a decision that would not have worked well for Anambra citizens, but due to the intervention of the Internal Revenue Service men.