Against the frequent strikes by fuel marketers occasioned by artificial scarcity of petroleum products, Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno says he is exploring the possibility of establishing a Petroleum Depot in the state.
Governor Eno stated this Wednesday, met with the leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN in Government House, Uyo to addressing the issues that led to the recent ban on the sale of petroleum products in the state.
Recall that in May 2024, federal agencies confiscated and detained two petroleum trucks in Mbo Local Government Area of the state.
IPMAN on Monday evening, September 24 had issued a press statement notifying the public of closure of all fuel outlets as a demonstration against the seizure of fuel tankers by officers of Joint Task Force.
This has resulted into artificial scarcity in the state with a liter sold for as much as N2,500.
Eno waded into the face-off between Federal Security officials and Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association of Nigeria, which led to the closure of many fuel stations.
While acknowledging that the matter falls outside his jurisdiction, the Governor directed the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways to liaise with the relevant authorities to ascertain the facts of the case.
Responding, the union leaders thanked the Governor for his proactive engagement and pledged to lift the ban immediately, ensuring that petroleum products will be made available to the public.
Those in attendance were Sir Michael Udofia and Joseph Otu of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Comrade Francis Udoyen and Joseph Okafor of the Petrol Tanker Drivers Association (PTD), as well as Comrade Godwin Okono and Comrade Raphael Chukwuwu from the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Later, the state Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong while addressing Government House correspondents at the end of the meeting said the matter falls outside his jurisdiction, directing the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways to liaise with the relevant authorities to ascertain the true facts of the case.
According to him, “His Excellency the Governor, conscious of the depleting capacity that the petrol situation has brought some people, especially the hardship suffered by the people has held a meeting this morning with critical stakeholders in the industry.
“Representative of IPMAN, NUPENG and others were there with the mandate of their national executives, and the issues were brought to His Excellency’s attention.
“His Excellency mentioned that though the issues were not within his authority, but it happened within his jurisdiction.
“The structure of the Nigerian State is that federal authorities can execute any action within any State. His Excellency has accepted to interface with the federal authorities to ensure that he gets to the root of what the issues are,” he stated.
Ememobong said the prevailing high cost of premium motor spirit, PMS, was also discussed with a view to unraveling how the price can be brought down through the establishment of a depot and other long-term solutions.
On his part, the Port Harcourt Zonal Chairman, Petrol Tanker Drivers Association, Comrade Joseph Okafor, said that the Governor has given the union his word to liaise with relevant bodies to ensure that the product confiscated by security operatives on the 5th of May is returned to the union.
On his part, the representative of the National President of IPMAN, Comrade Micheal Udofia acknowledged that the meeting with the Governor was fruitful and that there will be free flow of products in the state going forward.
Udofia noted that the Governor having seen the suffering of the people, has decided to intervene and assured that the confiscated truck will be released alongside the products, adding that all the fuel stations will open for business immediately.
On the pricing of the product, he said that will be dependent on the loading price from NNPCL which, he said, is the sole off-taker of the product from Dangote Refinery.
NLC Directs workers to resume duty
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom Council has directed public servants in the state to resume duty on Thursday, September 26 following the suspension of strike by the leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN.
The Nigeria Labour Congress wrote ‘‘Following the directives of the Congress dated Tuesday, September 24, 2024 for workers to stay at home pending the resolutions on the withdrawal of services by the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter over the confiscation of their PMS loaded trucks by JTF.
In the letter entitled: RE: SERVICES WITHDRAWAL and dated September 25, 2024, the Labour Movement said ‘‘The leadership of Congress wishes to inform workers that the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in a quick intervention meeting today, Wednesday, September 25, 2024 with the key leaders of the Unions and stakeholders in the petroleum sector promised to intervene on the issues that led to the recent ban on the sales of petroleum products in the State and further resolved to establish a petroleum depot in Akwa Ibom State for easy accessibility and availability of PMS and to forestall re-occurrence of the unwholesome event.’’
According to the leaders, ‘‘Arising from the meeting therefore, the leadership of Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has agreed to lift ban and begin the immediate supply and sales of petroleum product to the public in the State.
‘‘To this end, workers are hereby directed to resume and go about their work and businesses while assured of the Congress commitment to their welfare at all times. ‘’
The release signed by (Elder) Sunny James Chairperson, State secretary, Comrade Alpha J. Marshall and Treasurer, (Elder) Samuel A. Inyang advised ‘‘We shall not rest until appropriate measures are put in place to reduce the suffering of workers and citizens in the transportation sector of our state.’’
Govt constitutes Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee
Akwa Ibom Government has constituted a 13-member Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee to regulate the sale of the products in the state.
The committee headed by Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo has Commissioner for Environment, Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Comrade Sunny James while Mrs Peggy Edoho (a representative of Ministry of Transport) will serve as the Secretary of the committee.
In a press release issued by Enobong Uwah, Secretary to the State Government said the committee will be inaugurated on Friday, September 27, 2024 at EXCO Hall, Governor’s Office, Uyo.
