The lingering debt crisis between the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has resurfaced, as IPMAN has again petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) over unpaid bridging claims totaling over N150 billion.
This development was disclosed during a courtesy visit by IPMAN National President, Alhaji Abubakar Shettima, to the FCT Director of the DSS, Mr. Usman Dauda, on Tuesday in Abuja. The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration between the petroleum marketers and the DSS, while drawing urgent attention to unresolved financial obligations by the NMDPRA.
According to a press release by IPMAN, Shettima appreciated the ongoing efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda and commended the DSS leadership, particularly its Director-General, Mr. Adeola Ajayi, for mediating and facilitating the payment of part of the longstanding bridging claims.
However, Shettima disclosed that despite the DSS’s previous intervention, the NMDPRA has only paid N50 billion out of the N200 billion debt owed marketers since September 2022. He stressed that the unpaid N150 billion continues to strain the operations of over 30,000 fuel stations operated by IPMAN members across the country.
“The partial settlement facilitated by the DSS is appreciated, but the bulk of the debt remains unpaid. We urge the DSS to continue engaging relevant authorities to ensure full payment,” Shettima appealed.
Bridging claims are financial reimbursements provided by the federal government to marketers who transport petroleum products from major depots to remote areas of the country. These claims allow the retail price of petrol to remain uniform across the country despite varying logistics costs. Without timely payments of these claims, marketers often face operational challenges, leading to fuel scarcity, station closures, and increased transportation costs.
An official of IPMAN, who spoke to our correspondent under anonymity, confirmed that NMDPRA’s refusal to settle the full debt threatens the sustainability of fuel supply across several states. “This is not just about marketers; it’s about ensuring uninterrupted fuel access to millions of Nigerians,” he said.
The DSS previously played a critical role in averting a nationwide shutdown when IPMAN threatened to close all its stations over unpaid claims in late 2023. The DG of the DSS brokered a temporary peace deal that led to the disbursement of N50 billion to marketers. However, no significant progress has been made since then, prompting renewed agitation.
During the Abuja meeting, Shettima reaffirmed IPMAN’s commitment to national peace and cooperation with security agencies, assuring Dauda of continued partnership in line with national economic goals. In response, the DSS FCT Director pledged support for the association’s leadership and acknowledged IPMAN’s strategic role in national energy security.
“IPMAN’s contribution to national welfare and economic stability is invaluable. We are committed to engaging all stakeholders to ensure a resolution that benefits Nigerians,” Dauda said.
Industry experts warn that continued delay in settling bridging claims may hinder the effectiveness of President Tinubu’s energy reforms and fuel subsidy phase-out efforts. Analysts have urged the NMDPRA to establish a transparent, time-bound framework for settling marketer debts to restore confidence in the downstream petroleum sector.
IPMAN’s leadership has called for the immediate intervention of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the National Assembly to compel the NMDPRA to fulfil its financial obligations.