By Abasi Ita
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Cross River and Akwa Ibom State governments over the deteriorating state of the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene highway. The unions warned that failure to act could result in a total shutdown of petroleum operations across the two states.
In a letter dated March 2, 2026, the Calabar unit of IPMAN, signed by Chairman Mr. Robert Obi and Secretary Mr. Victor Nnanna, urged urgent government intervention to prevent further disruption of petroleum distribution. The letter highlighted that the collapsed highway has severely affected business operations and threatens the livelihoods of marketers and drivers.
“Most of our members from Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states such as Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu are no longer actively engaged in the petroleum business due to significant financial losses caused by the poor state of the road,” the letter stated. It added that petroleum tanker trucks transporting products from Calabar have been involved in numerous accidents, and fears of further losses have discouraged marketers from patronizing depots in the state.
Similarly, the Petroleum and Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG described the highway as a “time bomb” for its members. In a letter signed by Zonal PTD Chairman Mr. Joseph Okafor and Zonal Secretary Dr. Kalu Eke, the union noted that decades of neglect have resulted in fatalities, revenue losses for the union, and economic setbacks for the government.
The unions warned that unless immediate action is taken within 21 days, all petroleum tank farms, depots, and filling stations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States could shut down. An insider close to the unions told reporters that the leadership is prepared to suspend the lifting of petroleum products indefinitely if drastic measures are not taken to repair the highway.
The source emphasized that this time, the unions expect tangible results rather than promises and advised motorists to prepare for potential disruptions in fuel supply. “Give us a good road, we lift products; otherwise, we sit at home indefinitely,” the source said.
IPMAN and NUPENG have repeatedly raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway, a key route linking several states in the South-South and South-East regions. The ultimatum underscores the urgent need for government intervention to restore safety, economic activity, and stability in the petroleum distribution sector.