… Seeks End To Fuel Scarcity

The leadership of the

Nigeria Labour Congress in the state has enjoined the Independent Marketers and filling station owners to consider the suffering of the masses and comply with the new pump price regime as announced by the Federal Government.

The NLC in a statement said the activities of petroleum marketers will be monitored through a joint committee for effective compliance, in view of the directive of the state government.

Despite the state government’s directive to the Independent Marketers and filling station owners in the state to open their stations to sell petrol to members of the public, they have failed to heed such directive.

As a result of this fuel scarcity, business activities seem to be paralysed.

The Tide investigation shows that there are long queues for fuel both at the NNPC mega stations along Eleme – Port Harcourt, Aba Roads and the other non government-owned filling stations within the state.

The NNPC mega stations sell fuel at the Federal Government approved price of N97.00 per litre, the few independent marketers whose stations have managed to remain open sell at a discriminatory prices.

Following this development, transport fares in the state have increased by 100 per cent.

The situation has also shot up the prices of foodstuffs, with many people lamenting the situation.

When The Tide Labour visited PPMC loading station at Alesa Eleme yesterday, the vice chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), Mr Skil Chukwu, said the members of IPMAN will comply with the new pump price of  N97.00 per litre as announced by the government.

He said members of the Association will soon commence loading of the various products for distribution to their respective stations, stressing that members of IPMAN in the state will never hoard petrol product.

Philip Okparaji