Date: 2012-02-14

The Independent and Major Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Ilorin branch, has suspended its two day strike which almost paralyzed commercial activities in the state.

In a statement in Ilorin, chairman of IPMAN, Alhaji Agbolade Jamiu Bolaji announced that the association was suspending the strike as a result of fruitful discussions had with the State governor on a number of issues raised by the association.
 
 "In a rare show of magnanimity and exemplary leadership, the governor has succeeded in an amicable resolution of our agitations and fears. We are therefore calling on our members to resume sales immediately", Agbolade said.

Earlier, at a close door meeting between the State government and major stake holders in the oil industry, Alhaji Ahmed had appealed to the leadership of the IPMAN to end its on-going strike action in the interest of the suffering masses.

The meeting, which lasted over an hour at the instance of Governor Ahmed, was the first major attempt by him to pacify IPMAN to resume lifting of fuel so as not to further inflict pains on the innocent people of the State.

He advised them to put the interest of the masses at heart in resolving the on-going crisis, as the people of the State were made to suffer for what they knew nothing about.

Governor Ahmed assured the aggrieved leaders that government was already intervening in the matter so as not to degenerate into a serious crisis, pointing out that justice would be done.

The IPMAN, according to Mr Agbolade Bolaji, had embarked on the strike action as a result of activities of vandals and threat to the lives of its members.

According to him, some of the pipeline vandals were caught early this year and handed over to security operatives but were allegedly released.

14/02/2012