The controversy and disunity among members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN,RiversStatechapter, has been laid to rest as the association elects and inaugurates an interim executive chairman to pilot its affairs for the next six months.
The ceremony took place at the Best Western Premiers Hotel, former Protea Hotel building, ofRiversState.
In a chat with journalists shortly after the inauguration ceremony, Chief Samuel Onura Osarolu JP, who emerged the new interim chairman, disclosed that members of the association have been in disunity and controversy became the order of the day for years, leading to the formation of different fractions.
He added that the ceremony was geared towards unity government which would go a long way to unite the association.
“There were factions in the past, but today we have united as one body through the efforts of our amiable national chairman who decided to form a unity government, hence the interim government is formed.
Chief Osarolu who disclosed that he has chaired the association for some years in the past, revealed that he has built an ultra modern secretariat among others, for the association, and assured that he would consolidate on his achievements and promised to ensure unity and to carry everyone along.
He appealed to all members of the association to co-operate with the new executive to move the association forward.
Similarly, Mr. Onyemo Silas, a leader of a faction, revealed that the association members have been on war part for the past fifteen years, stressing that it became critical when it resulted to fighting, beating, among members of the different factions, wounding and hospitalizing some of the members.
The leaders of the factions expressed joy for the harmonization noting that such would bring unity in the association. They stressed that some members of the faction have taking positions in the new executive and promised to co-operate with the executive to move the association forward. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
