The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has paid the sum of N74 billion to oil marketers as bridging claims in the past seven months.

“So far, the authority paid N71,233,712,991 bridging claims and another N2,736,179,950.84 freight differentials to oil marketers as of June 6, 2022,” Mr. Kimchi Apollo, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of NMDPRA, said in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Apollo said the authority’s attention was drawn to allegations made by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association Nigeria (IPMAN), Suleja Branch on product scarcity as a result of non-payment of bridging claims.

Apollo said the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) received N9.96 billion while IPMAN members were paid N42.30 billion.

He said NNPC Retails received N6.66 billion while DAPPMAN members were paid N12.30 billion, which translated to a total of N73.97 billion.

He said the Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, at a meeting on May 17 with IPMAN discussed bridging payment extensively.

Apollo said that the processes were explained and agreed upon by IPMAN.

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He said that Ahmed assured IPMAN of NMDPRA’s willingness to continue the payment of outstanding claims to promote seamless operations.

Pursuant to the meeting, he said the NMDPRA made additional payment of N10 billion in June and sought for an upward review of the freight rate which was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and currently being implemented.

“It is disheartening that despite these payments and increase of N10 bridging cost, which was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, IPMAN could turn around to accuse the NMDPRA of insensitivity,” he said.

The Star