Petrol scarcity looms, as marketers threaten to shutdown operations in Anambra over multiple taxations

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), on Wednesday, threatened to shut down operations in Anambra State on June 12th, 2025, over alleged multiple taxations.

The Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community comprising Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States, Comrade Chinedu Anyaso, who disclosed this after the group's meeting held in Awka, alleged that their members were being harassed, molested, intimidated, and extorted by officers of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS).

According to him, if the government of Governor Chukwuma Soludo fails to address the issues within 21 days, the association would have no option but to shut down all petrol stations across the state.

“The attitudes of these tax collectors overwhelmed our imagination. We have lost a whole lots of money to these uncontrolled taxes in Anambra State. How much are we making per truck? Petroleum marketers are dying in Anambra State.

“In 2024, we paid N120,000 to the State Government as our monthly levy, but to our greatest surprise, we started paying above the stipulated amount of N120,000 from January 2025. This development is making it difficult for us to operate smoothly in the state.

“I will send an official letter to the State Government in this regard. We are law-abiding citizens; the AIRS officials should stop molesting us. We want the State Government to give us a fixed amount for the levy.

“IPMAN may decide to shut down operations in Anambra State without further notice if the exploitation and intimidation do not stop within the 21-day period,” he said.