The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has said the non-functional state of the Port Harcourt Refinery has pushed many marketers out of business.
The body said this during the Port Harcourt Depot Unit‘s 2023 Annual General Meeting/Election held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, where Tekena Ikpaki, was elected as Chairman.
Speaking to newsmen, Ikpaki charged the Federal Government to quickly complete the ongoing repairs at the refinery.
While noting that his administration will ensure better leadership of the body, he advised that the facility should be completed and put into use, pointing out that the delay was affecting businesses in the area.
Ikpaki stated, “We will bring in new ideas into the leadership of the body. We were elected to manage the activities of IPMAN. We want to make a difference.
“It is our sole duty to make sure that everybody is satisfied, even if man’s desires are insatiable. We will try our best to ensure that products that will come from the refinery when it is complete gets to our members and then it gets to our communities.
“The non-functionality of the refinery has crippled a lot of businesses, and a lot of people have gone out of business. People who cannot sustain themselves with the little that is available to them.
“Goods and services as we know moving from one part of the country to another is transportation and this works with petroleum products. The dilapidation of the refinery has affected movement of goods and services.”
Meanwhile, the Zonal Chairman, System 2E of IPMAN, Prince Bobby-Ibekwe, has expressed optimism that the Port Harcourt Refinery would fully commence operation in early 2024.
Bobby-Ibekwe charged the newly elected executive of the body to ensure that members get products to sell when the Port Harcourt Refinery begins operation.
He challenged the Port Harcourt Unit executive of IPMAN to ensure the protection of the interest of IPMAN and members of the public to reduce the suffering being experienced by Nigerians due to the harsh economic climate.