BU$IN€SS IPMAN bemoans planned demolition of ’13 filling stations’ for flyover project in Anambra

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has bemoaned the proposed demolition of 13 functional filling stations to make way for the construction of a flyover in the Ekwulobia area of Anambra state.

The marketers, in a letter signed by Chinedu Anyaso, chairman of IPMAN, Enugu community depot in charge of the south-east zone, called on Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, to resolve the issue amicably.

He said the marketers that will be impacted have expressed worries over the planned demolition of their premises “without any compensation plan by the government”.

According to Anyaso, the filing stations — Matino Oil, and Ngozi Petroleum — are on Orlu Road, Ekwulobia; while Pap Oil, Evkkins Oil, Ernmaco Petroleum, Narco Oil, and NIPCO, are all located along Awka Road, Ekwulobia.

Others are Jolet Oil, Best Abino Oil, God’s Decision Oil, and Hachele Petrogas, located along Igboukwu Road; Ekwulobia; and Narco Oil, and God’s Decision Oil, sited along Oko Road in the same area.

The IPMAN chair begged the government not to push members out of their businesses and means of livelihood, adding that the marketers were in full support of Soludo’s infrastructure transformation agenda, including the flyover project, because of its attendant benefits.

“Our members in Ekwulobia axis have made official reports to our NEC through the zonal office in respect of the proposed Ekwulobia flyover which will adversely affect their means of livelihood,” Anyaso said.

“About 13 of their operational filling stations with current documents have been marked out for demolition.

“As a body, we appreciate every move towards infrastructural development and applaud the giant strides of the governor in that respect.

“But we also want you to understand that most of our members that are affected by the proposed project rely heavily on those outlets as their means of survival and sustenance to their families and other dependents.”

Ayanso said IPMAN would like to schedule a meeting with the governor on how to resettle the displaced members.

Meanwhile, the Anambra government said the construction of the Ekwulobia flyover has been awarded and would soon commence.

In an official statement signed by Paul Nwosu, commissioner for information, the government asked business owners whose properties and shops were on the right of way of the flyover or encroached into the road corridor, to leave.

“Owners of such properties and shops are hereby advised to begin to dismantle their structures and evacuate their valuables immediately as agreed in the last stakeholders’ meeting,” the statement reads.