The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and securing vital federal oil infrastructure across the state.
The governor stated this on Friday, October 24, while receiving the newly elected leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Edo State chapter, led by Michael Ogiamen, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City.
Governor Okpebholo commended the association for resolving its internal leadership crisis amicably and pledged continued government support to ensure a conducive business environment for petroleum marketers in the state.
“Let me thank the IPMAN leadership and members. The chairman, vice chairman, and regional chairman, I thank all of you because I was not around when the issue came up,” Okpebholo said.
“I quickly called my people to make sure that law and order were maintained. I am happy today that you have come here to tell me that you are now in agreement.”
In a statement signed and made available to Naijaonpoint through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo urged the new IPMAN executives to extend dialogue to the other faction and reintegrate them to ensure lasting unity.
“I also want you to call the other faction. Dialogue with them and absorb them into your group so that things can move smoothly,” the governor noted.
Okpebholo addressed concerns raised by IPMAN over persistent pipeline vandalisation along the Benin Depot–Warri Refinery corridor, revealing that a task force on pipeline monitoring had already been constituted to tackle the menace.
“For the vandalisation of pipelines, we have already set up a task force on pipeline monitoring. We will take charge on our own part,” the governor stated.
“But the Warri part, that is Delta State. I will also talk to the Governor to see how we can jointly monitor the pipelines so that there will be no vandalisation going forward.”
He further disclosed plans to strengthen the office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Pipeline Surveillance, Hon. Joseph Okonigene, to boost monitoring and protection of petroleum assets in Edo State.
Earlier in his remarks, the new IPMAN Chairman, Michael Ogiamen, expressed gratitude to the governor for his intervention in resolving the association’s leadership dispute, describing Okpebholo’s role as “decisive and unifying.”
He assured that his administration would uphold transparency, continuity, and unity within the association.
“I can honestly tell you, sir, that at the expiration of my tenure of three years, I will hand over to my vice here, Mr. Pius. That has been our practice, and it will not change according to our constitution,” Ogiamen said.
The Chairman of the Committee set up by the governor to resolve the crisis, Comrade Eribo Nwanta, alongside other members, praised Okpebholo for his swift and effective intervention, noting that peace had been restored within the association.
“The governor’s decisive action saved IPMAN from further division. Today, Edo marketers can operate with unity and renewed focus,” Nwanta stated.
Governor Okpebholo said his engagement with IPMAN aligns with his administration’s broader goal of ensuring energy security, industrial harmony, and efficient fuel distribution across the state.
He noted that Edo’s position as a key transit point for petroleum distribution in the South-South and North-Central zones requires proactive monitoring and collaboration with federal agencies.
Naijaonpoint understands that the meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, senior government officials, and IPMAN stakeholders from across the state.
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