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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Aba Deport Unit, has said it will withdraw its services in Abia State in the next 21 days unless the State government addresses the N600,000 consolidated tax it allegedly placed on petroleum marketers in the State.
According to the association, Abia State Board of Internal Revenue arbitrarily increased the consolidated revenue from N95,000 to N600,000, representing about 600%.
The ultimatum was contained in a statement issued by IPMAN on Wednesday after its meeting that was attended by executive members and South-East leaders, on Wednesday.
The statement signed by Aba Deport Unit Chairman, Oliver Okolo and the Secretary, Obike Mascot, among other leaders, regretted that the astronomical increase was coming at a time petroleum marketers were struggling to stay alive in Nigeria after the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal government.
IPMAN lamented that several efforts they made to meet with Governor Alex Otti were rebuffed by agents of the State government.
They argued that it would be outrageous to charge Abia petroleum marketers N600,000 when their colleagues in Ebonyi and Enugu States pay N100,000 and N110,000 respectively.
“The effect of this, if implemented, will translate to consumers in Abia State buying petroleum products at a very high premium far different from what is obtainable from other states.
“We are left with no other alternative than to issue a 21-day notice to the government of Abia State to back down on this draconian and outrageous increment of the consolidated taxes or we may be forced to close shop as it has become very impossible for us to keep afloat in this murky and cloudy business environment that our sector has become,” the marketers said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Abia State government was yet to respond.
IPMAN issues 21-day ultimatum to Abia govt over 600 percent tax increment
