The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has refuted payment of N74 billion transport claims to marketers by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The Chairman IPMAN Northern chapter, Alhaji Bashir Danmalam made the threa while addressing a news conference in Kano on Thursday.
Danmalam, who was reacting to the purported payment report, said the claim was not true as their members were not paid unless the payment was made to the “ghost marketers”.
The IPMAN chairman challenged the relevant authorities to come up with the names of all the marketers who were paid to prove their claims.
“I am surprised to hear the story on payment of the N74 billion claims to our members by the NMDPRA.
“Who and who were paid the money? I know some of the marketers who are being owed N10 billion each.
“So, we can only agree with the said payment if the money was paid to “ghost marketers” or if it is part of the rejected waybill.
“Based on the investigation conducted by IPMAN, It was discovered that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has recently released over N70 billion to the NMDPRA to pay marketers, and is yet to be paid,” he said.
He revealed that the inability to settle the marketers transport claims amounting to about N500 billion was responsible for the persistent fuel shortage being experienced in the country.