Another Scarcity Again …Fuel Queues Re-Appear In PH

The strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) on Tuesday over the sack of its members by some companies operating in Rivers and Bayelsa States is now taking its toll on motorists and consumers of petroleum products in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and its environs.
The Tide reporter, who went round some petrol stations in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor local government areas, yesterday, found out that Paflox Petrol Station was the only independent station selling to consumers at N160 per litre while Total Filling Station at Rumuomasi on Aba Road was the only major marketer selling at official pump price of N145 per liter.
However, black markers have resurfaced, with some now selling 10 litres for N2,200.
A trip round the city shows that most petrol filling stations have ran out stock, and have been closed to customers since Tuesday.
Some of the motorists, who spoke to The Tide, expressed fear that the scarcity may lead to increase in prices of goods and services in the state.
The motorists called on government to intervene in order to save them from another scarcity of petroleum scarcity.
The Acting Zonal Chairman of NUPENG in Port Harcourt, Charles Eleto, confirmed the on-going strike, attributing the action to the sack of some NUPENG members by a number of oil service companies in Rivers and Bayelsa states.
Eleto, however, assured that the strike may soon be called-off, following on-going negotiations with the affected companies.
The Tide reports that as at yesterday afternoon, the scarcity of petroleum products has not significantly affected the intra-city transport fares.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana