Buhari to IPMAN: Fish out petroleum smugglers

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday asked the leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to fish out their members who are smuggling petroleum products to neighbouring countries.

Hosting the leadership of the association at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari urged them to fully collaborate with government by exposing the perpetrators.

“We all know this illegal smuggling of products out of Nigeria is a threat to our national economy and security and must be stopped. I therefore want to urge all IPMAN members to remain committed to complying with the laws and regulations that govern the Nigerian oil and gas sector,” he said.

The president thanked members of the association for their contributions to ensuring that Nigerians had adequate supply of petroleum products throughout last year.

He said his administration would fully support their quest to establish a refinery in the country.

IPMAN president, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, commended Buhari for halting corruption in petroleum products distribution.

“This new working environment is inspiring more investment by IPMAN members and we are further emboldened to establish a refinery in the near future with your support,” he said, adding that the association had endorsed Buhari’s second term bid.