The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers have threatened to shut down petroleum operations at the Calabar Depot if the government fails to address the deplorable condition of the Calabar–Itu–Ikot Ekpene highway within 21 days NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The marketers and workers’ unions said the deteriorating condition of the road has made the transportation of petroleum products increasingly difficult, posing serious risks to drivers and businesses operating within the corridor.
In a letter dated March 2, 2026, and addressed to the governments of Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State, the Calabar unit of IPMAN warned that failure to intervene would lead to a total shutdown of tank farms, depots and filling stations across the two states.
The letter, signed by the Chairman and Secretary of IPMAN in Calabar, Chief Robert Obi and Victor Nnanna respectively, lamented that the collapse of the highway had severely disrupted petroleum distribution in the region.
According to the association, marketers have suffered significant financial losses as several petroleum tanker trucks transporting products along the route have been involved in accidents.
It added that the poor condition of the road had also discouraged marketers from neighbouring states, including Abia state, Ebonyi state and Enugu state, from sourcing products from Calabar depots.
“We are calling for urgent intervention to save our members from further setbacks. Most of our members from Akwa Ibom and other nearby states have exited the petroleum business due to the colossal financial losses incurred as a result of the poor condition of the road,” the letter stated.
The association further noted that petroleum business at depots in Calabar had significantly declined because many marketers were now reluctant to transport products through the highway.
It warned that if nothing was done within the 21-day ultimatum, petroleum operations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states would be halted.
Similarly, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of NUPENG said transporting petroleum products through the highway had become a serious burden for its members.
In a separate letter signed by the Port Harcourt Zonal Chairman of PTD, Joseph Okafor, and the Zonal Secretary, Kalu Eke, the union described the current state of the road as dangerous for drivers conveying petroleum products.
The union said the condition of the highway had led to the loss of lives among drivers and reduced revenue for both the union and government.
“For decades, the Calabar–Itu highway has remained a major challenge, affecting economic activities between Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Enugu states,” the union said.
The unions also warned that their members might stop lifting petroleum products if urgent steps were not taken to rehabilitate the road.
A source close to the unions said the leadership had resolved to take decisive action if government authorities failed to address the situation.
According to the source, the unions were determined to press home their demands, insisting that concrete action must replace what they described as repeated promises by government agencies.
