Independent Petroleum Marketers In Anambra And Tom Foolery 

EJIMONU UDENKA

These are indeed interesting times. A group of business men under the aegis of Independent Petroleum Marketers (IPMAN) Anambra State chapter decided to take their ‘tanker mentality’ to ridiculous heights by embarking on a strike action to protest the demolition of a Petrol station. 

The said Petrol station previously located at the Amawbia-Enugwu-Agidi Road By-pass by old road junction has been a scene of several nightmares over the years until the government of Chief Willie Obiano summoned the political will to fulfill the aspirations of ndi Anambra by effecting the removal of the dangerous structure.

It is on record that ndi Anambra had expected previous regimes in Anambra to take up the guanthlet years ago. Frequent commuters on the axis have all been witnesses to several accidents at the junction with articulated trucks ramming into houses around the junction. Many of us have wondered when someone with guts will act and save the state from the imminence of a petrol tanker explosion at the spot until recently.

Accolades from ndi Anambra over the recent demolition of the dangerous structure has been overwhelming. Few days ago, I overheard some women at the junction praying for Governor Obiano for saving the Amawbia community further nightmare. Apparently, the IPMAN goons have other ideas hence the strike action allegedly to compel Obiano to compensate the owner of the illegal filling station at the centre of the road.

But reliable sources confirmed that the government gave the owner all necessary chances for remedy and an alternate site which he refused with all offers were rejected before the demolition. Now the owner have banded together with his ilks to blackmail the government and ndi Anambra by refusing to sale fuel to power vehicles within the state.

Why any sane group would go on strike for such an unreasonable case is baffling. It is pure blackmail which cannot stand and ndi Anambra cannot be arm-twisted by self-service groups. The strike a mere muscle flexing that cannot work.