Says Allegations Painful, Scandalous
By Chidiebere Ugwu
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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Sunday dissociated itself from allegations made by one Mr Bashir Tahr against the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) bordering on extortions.
In a statement signed by Chief John kekeocha, the National secretary of IPMAN and titled ‘A Rejoinder to the spurious and malicious allegation by one Mr Bashir Tahr on the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) just to malign the union’, which was made available to journalists in Abuja, described the allegations as scandalous targeted at maligning and disparaging the activities of the PTD.
“The national executive committee of the independent petroleum marketers association of Nigeria… lPMAN led by Alhaji Debo Ahmed has reacted to refute the very malicious and demeaning allegations made by one Mr Bashir Tahr against the Petroleum tanker drivers bordering on extortion.
“In the first place the lPMAN North West zonal chairman is Alhaji Sanusi Tenten. It’s therefore embarrassing to the association when Mr Bashir Tahr from the blues started to malign and disparage the activities of the PTD.
“Over time the independent petroleum marketers association of Nigeria ( lPMAN) has always been in a harmonious and symbiotic relationship with the PTD/NUPENG and therefore will not keep quiet to this scandalous impressions marketed by Mr Bashir Tahr.
“We have always been partners in the distribution of petroleum products in the downstream and as such we condemn in eloquent and strong terms this disturbing and laughable impression the Mr Bashir Tahr seems to portray.
“It’s even more laughable when one says he pays PTD a huge some of N200,000. This means there is something you have not yet told the public you did that made you pay such money.
“The assertion that you have been fighting the PTD who you said are your workers since ten years sounds ridiculous.
“IPMAN under the watchful eyes of the president Alhaji Debo Ahmed has always frowned at Sharp practices and illegalities.
“This is why over time the issue of petroleum products diversion is but a thing of the past.
“This is not to say that there are not still some bad eggs and if you engage in it and you paid the cost doesn’t mean you have to smear the image of the union in bad light.
“We are surely aware of the statutory monies given to drivers as dispatches where loading expenses are done and which is mutual and has not raised eyebrows in our relationship with the PTD.
“We are pained with the false allegations and therefore chose to come out to debunk it comprehensively. It will be injudicious to mislead the public with your unguided and baseless allegations and we keep quiet over it. But be you of note that he who goes to equity must go with Clean hands.
“Marketers are therefore implored to go about their normal businesses and shun this type of distraction at this time which could be a fabrication of some individuals to put spanners in the smooth running the government of the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Note that it’s not every voice that the sheep hears she follows. We know our leaders and when they speak we hear” read parts of the statement.
