Motorists, Commuters Laud Amaechi Over Suspension Of Strike

The motoring public and commuters in Rivers State, have lauded Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his role in the peaceful resolution of the seven-day tanker drivers strike that caused fuel scarcity and increase in transport fares recently.

The strike was as a result of a face-off between the Petroleum tanker drivers and Joint Taskforce of the Ministry of Urban Development which punctured the tyres of some tankers parked at Abonnema Wharf road in Port Harcourt.

A cross section of the public who spoke with The Tide correspondent commended the Governor for his timely intervention to the suffering of the people of the state as a result of the tanker drivers strike.

They said the seven days strike caused a lot of untold hardship to many families, as some could not afford to send their children to school because of the hike in transport fare, private and Commercial car owners found it difficult to fuel their cars, increase in food items among others.

A transporter, Elder Jide Fashakin thanked Governor Amaechi for resolving the crisis between the tanker drivers and the Ministry of Urban Development, and prayed God to give him more wisdom and courage to pilot the State to an enviable height.

Elder fashakin, however, cautioned the drivers and other government officials not to take the law into their hands but to take cautious actions.

Also speaking, a commuter and tutor with a private school in Borikiri, Port Harcourt. Mr. Frank Macaulay said Governor Amaechi is a listening Governor who has feeling for his people and commended the governor.

A private car owner, Chief Goodluck Iyaye said although he had enough fuel during the strike but expressed appreciation with Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi for taking a bold step that led to the suspension of the strike.

Madam Betty Amadi, a Petty trader also expressed happiness with the Governor’s intervention into the tanker drivers strike which led to fare hike, saying it also affected economic activities of the states.

It would be recalled that during the strike, most students and pupils including Civil Servants track long distances to their school and place of work because of the increase in transport fare.

Collins Barasimeye