*The Northern Independent Petroleum Marketers Forum suspends planned industrial action, following the intervention of The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, with over N103billion to oil marketers, assuring them of also fast-tracking the settlement of their outstanding claims after due verification and reconciliation

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Against the earlier to resume strike, if the Federal Government failed to honour their agreement, the Northern Independent Petroleum Marketers Forum has suspended its planned industrial action after reaching a fresh agreement with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in Abuja, FCT.

绿帽献妻 reports Kimchi Apollos, General Manager of Corporate Communication Department of the Authority, in a statement issued Tuesday, said the NMDPRA expressly intervened to apprehend the planned strike as the regulators of the sector.

Apollos stated: 鈥淚n line with the mandate of The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to collaborate with industry stakeholders in ensuring uninterrupted supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) throughout the nation, The Authority held a meeting with the Northern Independent Petroleum Marketers Forum (NIPMF) on 5th and 6th September, 2022 with the participation of the NNPC Limited.鈥�

He also explained that previous engagements and Tuesday’s meeting addressed issues on bridging claims and other matters with the marketers.

Apollos further said: 鈥淭he Authority would like to reiterate that payment of bridging claims is an ongoing process and payments are disbursed as it is received from marketers.鈥�

The statement noted that Engr. Farouk Ahmed, The Authority Chief Executive (ACE), said the Authority has disbursed a total of N103,037,183,922.91 Naira between December 2021 and August 2022.

According to The Authority Chief Executive, sequel to the recent extensive deliberations between the parties, The NMDPRA further commits to fast-track the settlement of all outstanding claims when received from marketers after due verification and reconciliation.

NIPMF has agreed to work with the NMDPRA to ensure the free flow of petroleum products nationwide, he said.

The NMDPRA, therefore, affirmed that it will continue to carry out its mandate, as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

According to The Authority, these include promoting and ensuring the continuous and efficient operations of the midstream and downstream sectors in the West African country.