Tension In Imo As Petroleum Dealers Embark On Strike

Commuters and Motorists in various parts of Imo state were on Wednesday thrown into confusion and lamentation following a strike embarked upon by the state chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
The strike which cut members of the public unawares expectedly precipitated a hike in transport fares by the few commercial vehicles and motorcycle operators on the roads, who increased their fares above 50 percent from the normal fares.
Our roving reporters report while all petrol filling stations that in Owerri metropolis were locked, road side hawkers of the product who sold in jerry cans had a field day as anxious consumers scrambled to obtain the commodity at exorbitant prices, for commuters who usually pay N100 fare from such places as Amakohia, Akwakuma to Owerri metropolis now pay N200,000 while those from Obinze, Umuguma, Irete, Orogwe and Ogbaku pay N300 as against N150.
It was gathered that the strange development was fallout of a running battle between the state government and the oil marketers arising from the refusal of the former to honour an agreement between the duo.
The oil marketers had reportedly reached an agreement with the State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS) for its members, who operate within the Owerri metropolis to pay an annual levy of One hundred thousand naira while those on the outskirts of the town should pay N50,000.
Curiously, the Hope Uzodimma-led administration, allegedly shortly on assumption of office in January 2020 unilaterally hiked the due to N1million.
This was to the consternation of the oil marketers, just as the blunt refusal of the state government to abide by the recent count ruling in favour of the oil marketers whose member in Orlu lost his filling station through demolition did not help matters.
As at the time of filing this report, only few vehicles operated on the roads, while some business centres who operate their gen sets packed up for lack of fuel to remain in business.
Contacted, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, who had earlier in a radio announcement pleaded with the marketers to drop the strike, said that efforts were on top gear to resolve the matter.

By: Joe Nwachukwu, Owerri