The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to pay contractors N900 million the state owed them for supplying diesel to power streetlights before they were stopped.

Chinedu Anyaso, IPMAN chairman, Enugu Depot Community in charge of Anambra, Ebony and Enugu States, made the call in Awka on Friday.

Mr Anyaso said the contractor had complied with the government’s directive to return all the generators to their custody to recover their debts when the contracts were terminated.

He said marketers in the state may have to suspend operations without further notice until the state government pays them.

The IPMAN chairman said the marketers were heavily indebted to their lenders, and their businesses were distressed because of their trapped capital.

Mr Anyaso said IPMAN had written the Anambra government to inform it that they had met the conditions set for them to pay the marketers their money.

A copy of the letter said the IPMAN general assembly eagerly awaited the Anambra government’s response to their demand.

The letter, titled “Request For Debt Payment of N900,664,805.00 owed our members for Diesel supplied and Services Rendered in Respect Of Street Lights”, was addressed to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.

“We refer to your response on the above subject, dated November 3, on the report of some vendors that are yet to return some of the government-owned generator sets allotted to them for the street lights projects.

“Be informed, sir, that all the generators have been fully returned to the government.

“We, therefore, humbly request that the debt payments owed our members for diesel supplied and services rendered be treated and paid as promised,” it said.

(NAN)