Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has called on the leadership and members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to show understanding and exercise more patience with the present administration as the difficulties they are facing in transporting their products are temporary. The Governor made the call on Wednesday when he received the national President of IPMAN and other officials of the association on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Minna.
He acknowledged the difficulties of passing through a longer route to transport petroleum products due to the blockage of Lapai-Paiko and Minna-Bida roads for articulated vehicles, noting that the closure was necessary at the moment. The governor disclosed that the state government intends to construct toll gates and weigh bridges on the roads, including the Bida Ring Road, when completed to manage traffic and ensure compliance with weight regulations on the roads.
The Governor revealed that discussions are ongoing with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to revitalize rail lines and on how to provide tank wagons for the free flow of products to Minna, saying that IPMAN would be invited to be part of the discussion to ensure the smooth implementation of the initiative. Governor Bago said the state government intends to take advantage of the rail lines in strategic locations like Beji, Mokwa, Akare, and Makera to discharge products.
He encouraged IPMAN to liaise with the ministries of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development to get land around the toll gates and weigh bridges that will be constructed and build infrastructure like a mega-fuel or gas station.
While thanking them for the visit, he assured that the state is ready to partner with IPMAN, especially as it is expecting to be among the petroleum-producing states in the not-too-distant future.
The National President of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi Garima, who led the delegation, said the visit was to appreciate the “farmer Governor” for his developmental strides across the state, describing the achievements recorded by the Governor as remarkable and assured him of the Association’s support towards the growth and development of the state.
The National President used the forum to appeal to the Governor to consider reopening the Lapai-Paiko and Minna-Bida roads that have been blocked for articulated vehicles, explaining that the blockage has made transporting their products a Herculean task.
The Chairman, IPMAN Minna Depot, Adamu Erena, and one of the members of the Association, Abdullahi Sarkin Turke, in their separate remarks, applauded the Governor’s transformation agenda in the state, saying a good road network is one of the major factors that boost their business and also improve socio-economic activities in the society. They also pledged their continued support for the success of the Bago-led administration.
