NUPENG, IPMAN Stop Fuel Supply To Ekiti Over Fayose, Marketers Rift
Fuel scarcity is looming in Ekiti state as marketers have stopped the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the state over a law suit allegedly instituted by Governor Ayodele Fayose against the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria
(IPMAN).
The governor, it was learnt, in the suit, had accused IPMAN and NUPENG of “economic sabotage” in a face-off with oil marketers in March.
The national unions of the two bodies who has the support of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) are said to be angry that government could take such an action after a peace meeting, even though the case was reportedly withdrawn last Friday.
Responding, governor Fayose said the action taken earlier was done in the interest of the security of the people adding that business owners should operate without jeopardizing the lives and property of the people.
The Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN) had intervened in the matter between the state government and the petroleum marketers, following strike and protest by the latter against demolition of some filling stations in the state.
Petrol scarcity is already biting hard on residents of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital as a visit round the city on Tuesday by journalists indicated that many commuters were stranded at bus stops while there were long queues of at few filling stations dispensing fuel.
Black marketers were already cashing in on the situation to make brisk business, even as transport fares have gone up.
A marketer who craved anonymity said: “After the visit of PEDAN in Southwest, the governor said everything has been resolved and settled but we were shocked that he (Fayose) took IPMAN and NUPENG to court accusing them of economic sabotage.
“After that, more filling stations were destroyed along Pathfinder in Ado and in Igede with the owner of the Igede filling station charged to court and remanded alongside six of his kinsmen by government.
