Akwa Ibom speaker charges IPMAN on dangers of distributing adulterated products
NAN-H-42
Sensitisation
Uyo, Feb. 16, 2017 (NAN) The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) must sensitise its members to the dangers inherent in distributing adulterated petroleum products to the public.
The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke, said this when the leadership of IPMAN, Akwa Ibom Chapter, paid him a courtesy call in Uyo on Thursday.
He said the association should conduct more enlightenment campaigns among its members following the rising incidents of harm done to consumers by adulterated petroleum products.
He also appealed to the association to fish out the perpetrators of the adulterated petroleum products in the state.
“I am saying this because I recently fell a victim. Aside me, this is one issue that has inflicted pains and untold hardship on individuals and families.
“I urge you to carry out more enlightenment and sensitization and use the opportunity to talk to the conscience of marketers to put the value of life above the desire to make too much profit,’’ Luke said.
Luke also said that tanker drivers should also be sensitised and cautioned against reckless use of roads, adding that the drivers needed to understand that they do not own exclusive right t of way.
“I see transport companies have complaint lines written on the back of their vehicles.
“So, I am suggesting that this same measure should be adopted by IPMAN with an established public complaints unit with well spelt out penalties to curb this recklessness,’’ he said.
The speaker appreciated the association for its present cordial relationship with the government which according him was hardly so in the past.
He also commended Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom for his efforts at strengthening the bond between the government and the association.
In his remarks, Mr Ubong Isong, the Akwa Ibom Chairman of IPMAN, told the speaker that the executive members of the association came to intimate him of the new leadership of the association.
Isong said he also came to brief him on the challenges facing the independent petroleum marketers in the state.
The IPMAN chairman criticised the multiple taxation imposed on his members by the state government and pleaded for the intervention of the speaker.
He said that petroleum marketers were facing tough times under the current tax regime.
He told the speaker that Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom had provided land at Ikot Abasi to IPMAN for it to build its petroleum depot and a modular refinery. (NAN)
SDB/OSA/PAD
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Edited by Shittu Obassa, Peter Dada