By George Onah
Port Harcourt— Activities at the Petroleum Product Marketing Company, PPMC, Port Harcourt, were brought to a halt, yesterday, following the protest by members of the Rivers State Independent Marketers Association, IPMAN, over the non-availability of diesel and kerosene in the depot for over nine months.

The protesters carried placards, some of which read, “Private depots steal PPMC products with the backing of NNPC staff”,  “Diversions of our products is a crime”, “Nigerians arise and say no to corruption,” and “We want products, not excuses.”

Explaining the reason for the protest, Chairman of the state IPMAN, Chief Samuel Osaroejor, said his members were angry because of the non-availability of kerosene and diesel for about nine months, as  most of them had borrowed from the banks to finance the purchase of the products.

Osaroejor said, “in spite of the fact that members’ money is being trapped in the banks now, all we hear is that the products are sent from Lagos and Warri to Port Harcourt, but it is being diverted to private depots in Port Harcourt.”

“These private depots are owned by PPMC and NNPC managements, who rob the PPMC depot in Port Harcourt of these two products. We are not going to load from those private depots and we will continue to stay away from loading until these products are supplied to the right depot.”

PPMC management could not be reached because stern-looking security guards prevented Vanguard reporter  from entering in the office.