IPMAN: Why we suspended strike in Imo

 The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, in Imo State on Friday suspended its strike after a meeting with the state government.

The suspension of the strike was announced in a release issued in Owerri, the state capital.

It was signed on behalf of the Association of Imo Petroleum Marketers and Dealers by Sir Chimodo Martin.

The statement reads: “It is no longer news that Association of Imo Petroleum Marketers and Dealers embarked on industrial action since Wednesday, 25th August 2021.

“The Association has made its sufferings in the hands of some Government agencies known to the public through the industrial action.

“In our last meeting with the State Government presided over by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, the SGI assured the Petroleum Tankers Drivers, PTD and Marketers that their complaint will be resolved within two weeks from the date of the meeting.

“Relying on the above promise, the government and the intervention of the DSS, Imo Petroleum Marketers and Dealers have suspended the industrial action forthwith.

“We are very grateful to members of the press for their effective reportage, members of Civil Society Organisation, the religious groups who have made several efforts in reaching out and the general public for their understanding.

“We want to highlight that if after the expiration of the two weeks commitment given by the Imo State Government and the issues are not properly addressed, we shall be compelled to continue with the industrial action.”

The meetings involved the Imo State Government, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Department of State Services (DSS), Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) branch of the Association of Imo Petroleum Marketers and Dealers and some security agencies in the state.