Governor Udom Emmanuel condemn strike petroleum
Governor Udom Emmanuel has frowned at the ongoing strike action by the Akwa Ibom State chapter of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petrol Tanker Drivers Association (PTD) and affiliate unions, describing it as a ploy to cover up illegality.
Governor Emmanuel expressed the displeasure at Ibom International Airport during his interaction with Government House Correspondents on arrival from Abuja.
The governor said the incessant strike actions by the petroleum marketers has caused undue hardship to commuters and motorists and crippled the state economy
He sympathized with the public over the hardship and urged the people to remain calm assuring that normalcy would soon be restored.
He wondered why the Petroleum Marketers and Tanker Drivers could take delight in the suffering of other citizens for their selfish gains stressing that many people have sustained injuries due to explosion caused by adultrated products dispensed by the marketers to unsuspecting consuming public.
He said attempt by the state government to ascertain the quality of products dispensed by the marketers is being resisted and that government would not fold its hands and watch the sabotage.
"The question on every lip is, why is it only in Akwa Ibom? It means something is wrong somewhere. We lost some lives recently because of the adulterated petroleum products especially kerosene, and people were saying we have not done anything about it."
Governor Emmanuel while opening up on the current strike action, explained that, "we sealed up some stations, got the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps to carry out inspection by looking at the licenses and quality of products and criminality was discovered... a Tanker was arrested with adulterated products. I don't know why that should cause the Union to go on strike.”
He however assured, “I've spoken with the Chairman and he has assured me that the strike will be called off" He called on those perpetuating the acts to sheathe their sword and restore sanity warning that any dealer caught dispensing adulterated petroleum products would be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.
"I am duty bound to protect lives and property and would not renege in my responsibility no matter the blackmail. I've spoken with the Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association and he has assured me that the strike would be called off today. Let's believe that he would honour his words and call off the strike " Governor Emmanuel stated.
source: Akwa Ibom State
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