BREAKING: IPMAN, NUPENG To Shutdown Operations Over Calabar-Itu Highway, Issue 21-Day Ultimatum
Judex OKORO
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers ( NUPENG) have issued 21 days ultimatum the government to intervene on the deplorable state of the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene highway or they will shutdown operations at Calabar Depot.
In a letter obtained by THE BEAGLES NEWS in Calabar on Friday, the Calabar unit of IPMAN said failure to intervene on the road would see the total shutdown of operations in both States.
The letter dated March 2, 2026, and signed by the chairman and Secretary of IPMAN, Chief Robert Obi, and Mr Victor Nnanna, respectively,
was addressed to both the governments of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers ( NUPENG) said the challenge of transporting petroleum products through Calabar-Itu highway has become an enormous responsibilties on its members.
However, IPMAN letter says at the expiration of it's ultimatum, tank farms, depots, and filling stations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States would be shutdown should the government fail to address their grievances.
The petroleum marketers noted that their business had been severely hampered by the total collapse highway.
It noted that aside from Cross River and Akwa Ibom, the neighbouring States like Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu
were not isolated from the challenges.
"We are calling for urgent intervention to save our members from further setbacks.
"Most of our members from Akwa Ibom and other nearby states of Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu are no more in Oil business owing to the unexpected colossal financial loses incurred as a result of the state of the road.
"It is common knowledge that so many Petroleum tanker trucks with Petroleum products from Calabar belonging to our members were lost to accidents on this road.
"trucks coming to Calabar to transact with NNPCL and other private tank farms located in Calabar suffered the same fate of loosing several millions of naira In this hard times.
"Petroleum business in Calabar depots, serving Cross river and Akwa Ibom States has nose-dived as most marketers outside Calabar no longer come to Calabar to patronize the tank farms for fear of loosing their trucks and hard earned resources," it laments.
The association concluded that it would be left with no choice than to shutdown their operations should
nothing is done within 21 days, from the date of this letter and notice.
Meanwhile, Petroleum and Tankers Drivers (PTD) branch of the NUPENG, appealed that it has become pertinent for the government to look into the critical sector of road transportation.
In a letter by Mr Joseph Okafor, zonal PTD Chairman, Porharcourt zone, and the Zonal Secretary, Dr Kalu Eke, said the condition of the highway at the moment is considered a time bomb to it's members carrying products to other parts of the country.
"For decades, the Calabar-Itu Highway has become a pain as it has affected economic activities between Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, and Enugu States.
"The deplorable road condition has led to loss of a good number of drivers, loss of substantial revenue to the union and even to the government," it stated.
Recall that IPMAN and NUPENG have every season decried the deplorable condition of Calabar-Itu Federal Highway just at they have threatened to call out their members once again.
An inside source close to the two Unions confided in THE BEAGLE NEWS that Union leaders have vowed not to lift petroleum products this time untill drastic measures are taken on that road.
According to the source, the leaders are ready to battle it out with government and are not ready to take half measures or listen to the usual rhetoric from government agencies, saying "thie time, we want action and not promises. We have told our members to tighten their belts and be ready to take the matter to the end.
"We also advise motorists to buy to get ready for hard times because we are tired of election promises from government. Give us a good road, we lift products or we sit at home indefinitely."
THE BEAGLE NEWS
