Key Points
- IPMAN says petroleum marketers in Anambra are facing alleged illegal levies and harassment by government agents.
- Marketers pay a harmonised annual levy of ₦145,000 per outlet under the state arrangement.
- The association warns it may suspend operations if the alleged harassment continues.
Main Story
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has accused agents of the Anambra State Government of imposing illegal levies and harassing petroleum marketers despite an approved harmonised tax regime.
IPMAN made the allegation on Wednesday at its Annual General Meeting in Awka, where the association called on Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to intervene and protect businesses operating in the state.
Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community, Mr Chinedu Anyaso, said the state government had approved a harmonised annual payment of ₦145,000 for each filling station.
He said the amount covered property tax, business premises, local government council and signage charges, and that marketers were complying with the approved arrangement.
However, Anyaso alleged that government agents continued to issue additional demand notices to filling station operators.
He said the ₦145,000 charge was already higher than what marketers paid in other states within the association’s zone.
According to him, marketers in rural areas of Enugu pay between ₦70,000 and ₦80,000 annually, while those in city centres pay about ₦120,000.
Anyaso also alleged that some local government authorities were interfering with filling station operations and that consultants engaged to collect revenue were creating additional difficulties for marketers.
He further alleged that the state Ministry of Petroleum Resources was introducing additional charges, including a Petroleum tax renewal, despite marketers already paying federal petroleum-related charges.
The Issues
IPMAN said the additional demands were increasing operating costs for petroleum marketers at a time when the business was becoming less profitable.
Anyaso said the association had agreed to comply with taxes and levies formally approved by the state government but objected to charges it described as illegal.
The dispute centres on whether additional charges being demanded from filling stations fall within the approved harmonised levy or represent separate revenue demands by government agencies and consultants.
The association also raised concerns about the involvement of local government authorities and consultants in revenue collection from petroleum businesses.
What’s Being Said
“We agreed on N145,000 per year for every outlet, which covers property tax, Business Premises, Local Government Council and Signage but we are getting illegal demand notices from agents under this government.” – Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman, IPMAN Enugu Depot Community.
“Anambra is becoming a problem state for the union as most of the challenges come from the state.” – Ikechukwu Nwankwo, Southeast Zonal Vice President, IPMAN.
“We may have to shut down operations for a while to get the attention of Mr Governor.” – Ikechukwu Nwankwo, Southeast Zonal Vice President, IPMAN.
What’s Next
Nwankwo appealed to the state government to support petroleum marketers, saying rising operating costs and lower margins were putting pressure on their businesses.
He said marketers could consider temporarily shutting their operations if the alleged harassment continued.
The Chairman of the Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria in Anambra, Izukanne Chibuike, also called for an end to what he described as incessant harassment by unknown agents.
Chibuike, however, commended Soludo for approving the harmonised levy and said petroleum dealers would continue to comply with approved taxes and government policies.
Bottom Line
IPMAN wants the Anambra Government to stop alleged illegal levies and harassment of petroleum marketers, arguing that the additional demands are worsening an already difficult business environment. The association has warned of a possible temporary shutdown if the dispute is not resolved.
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