Commuters stranded in Owerri as filling stations embark on strike

Commuters in Owerri, Imo state capital, are currently are stranded at various bus stops following a strike action by the Independent Petroleum Marketers (IPMAN).

The strike was reportedly in protest to the failure of the state government to compensate marketer whose filling station in Orlu was demolished by the previous administration of Rochas Okorocha.

Reports say the affected marketer had earlier secured a high court judgment ordering the state government to compensate owner of the filling station, which was not complied to but instead the present administration of Hope Uzodinma appealed the judgment.

Filling stations along Okigwe road, Orji area, Egbu road and many parts of Owerri metropolis were under lock and key in compliance to the strike action embarked by the union.

The Imo state government in its reaction had earlier issued a statement through Declan Emelumba, its commissioner for information and strategy, stressing that the said judgment was hidden from the present administration and no effort was made to dialogue with the aggrieved petroleum marketer.

The government accused the petroleum marketers of making desperate efforts to hoodwink tanker drivers to stop the supply of petroleum products to the state as at midnight of August 23, thereby using the influence of the affected marketer who was once a tanker driver.

It further questioned why IPMAN in the state are bent on involving Petroleum and Natural Gas Association of Nigeria (PENGASAN), in a local affair that has nothing to do with the association.

However, the State government maintained that hence the matter is still in court, it amounts to self help for Imo petroleum marketers to embark on strike which in the eyes of the law is illegal and a subjudice.

In his response, Olawale Afolabi, general secretary of NUPENGEN, disclosed that the strike was a sympathy action in support of IPMAN.

He maintained that the refusal of the government to obey court judgment on payment of compensation to its member whose filling station at Orlu was demolished 7 years ago.

Afolabi further reiterated that the union gave a 21 days notice to the state government before the commencement of the strike today.

He urged the state government to pay its member the judgement fee which amounts to N100,000,000 to enable him pay some of his workers who are owed for years.