June 19, (THEWILL) – Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Depot has threatened to shut down all filling stations in Anambra state if Governor Chukwuma Soludo fails to pay adequate compensation to the members for the filling stations earmarked for demolition.
The Depot Chairman, Chinedu Anyaso, issued the threat shortly after emerging from an emergency meeting in Awka to deliberate on the Soludo’s earmarked 13 filling stations for demolition, to pave way for a flyover at Ekwulobia, headquarters of Aguata Local Government Area.
“Anambra government cannot just demolish people’s property without paying compensation,” Anyaso said.
He urged members of the union to be at alert, and shut their stations if the Anambra government goes ahead to demolish any of the earmarked 13 filling stations.
Enugu Depot encompasses stations in Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states.
“Anambra government cannot just demolish people’s property without paying compensation,” Anyaso said.
He urged members of the union to be on alert, and shut their stations if the Anambra government went ahead to demolish any of the earmarked 13 filling stations.
“These filling stations are the main source of economic stay for the affected families and the government cannot create hardship for these families.
“If the government demolishes these filling stations, it will negatively affect the living standard of the affected families.
“Honestly, the government must adequately pay compensation before demolishing the filling stations,” he said .
Anyaso said that the union had written several letters to the governor, but has not received any reply.
He further urged the members not to sign any document from the government until studied by the union.
“We cannot fight the government but we can withdraw our services to the public if the governor refuses to pay compensation before demolition of any of the filling stations. We must all stand by any of our members ,it could be anybody,” he said.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Petroleum, Mr. Ifeanyi Ifeanya, said the governor reserves the right to revoke any property for the public overriding interest.
He, however, said that the government would meet with the group for discussion.
Sam Diala is a Bloomberg Certified Financial Journalist with over a decade of experience in reporting Business and Economy. He is Business Editor at THEWILL Newspaper, and believes that work, not wishes, creates wealth.
