PENGASSAN Strike: RSG Assures Availability Of Petroleum Products

The Rivers State Government has allayed the fears of imminent fuel scarcity on account of the indefinite strike action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The state Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dr Peter Medee in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt, stated that there was no cause for alarm.
He advised residents not to resort to panic buying, saying there is no need to stockpile petroleum products due to the strike.
Medee assured that there would be adequate supply of petroleum products in the state during the period of the strike.
According to him, “the product will be available, the respective unions have assured us that they would continue providing their services and if they are providing these services, then it means the product will be available.
“My advice to Rivers people is that there is no need for any panic buying, there is no need for people to begin to store the product at home, because this has untold consequences and so it is better for us to advise Rivers people to be calm while we continue to negotiate, interact and engage to see that efforts are being made to resolve the crises and this strike”
The commissioner explained that the issues that led to the strike by PENGASSAN were directed at the Federal Government and not the State.
He said, “as a state, we have little to do to handle the problem. However, as a state, we have been in contact with the other sister union and they have assured us that they are not part of the strike, even if they are in sympathy with the demand made by PENGASSAN”.

By: Tonye Nria-Dappa