Ini Billie, Uyo
Fuel scarcity looms in Akwa Ibom over the directive of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), that members shut their stations.
Already, many fuel stations in Uyo, the state capital are currently shut, causing those remaining open for business to sell fuel between N1,500 to N1,600 per litre, while the black market sells between N1,800 and N2,000.
The strike action by IPMAN which begins today follows the confiscation of trucks of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Joint Task Force (JTF).
It was gathered that the JTF in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area four months ago, seized trucks of petrol of some members of IPMAN and have refused to release them.
As such, the leadership of IPMAN in a press statement signed by its chairman, Mr Francis Udoyen and Secretary, Prince Ekom Idemudo, directed its members to close their fuel stations indefinitely, beginning Tuesday, 24 September 2024.
“As part of our collective obligation to stand for each other in season and off-season, equally drawing strength from the resolution taken at our last emergency congress over members’ trucks in the custody of JTF operatives (four months now), you are hereby directed to close your filling station(s) from the public.
“This action has the approval of our National Office and non-compliance will be viewed with appropriate consequence,” the release stated.
When the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, 2 Brigade, Uyo, Lt. Adebowale Adejimi was contacted, he stated that he was awaiting directives from his superiors before commenting on the matter.
However, he stated, “If the Army seized the truck, we released it. We checked for authentication and clarity. If we find out that they are not legal, we release them to NSCDC. They have passed through the normal process; we don’t have any truck in our hands”.
Meanwhile, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has warned petrol dealers against selling petrol above the approved price, saying government will not tolerate the unpatriotic action.
Eno who stated this in his broadcast message to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the state’s creation, said a task force to track down perpetrators and prosecute them would soon be set up.
“Let me warn those selling petrol above the approved price that the government will not tolerate such unpatriotic actions. We will soon set up a Task Force to ensure that those engaging in this practice are brought to book” he said.
The governor revealed that the CNG bus project would soon be launched in the state, noting that the search was ongoing for partners who will provide refilling depots for CNG buses.
He added that buying CNG buses without having refilling depots was senseless.
“We are in search of partners who will provide refilling depots for our CNG buses. Once this is achieved, we will launch this program. It does not make sense to buy CNG buses that will not have refilling depots, doing so, will defeat the purpose of this initiative”, he said.