Gov. Umo Eno
By Anietie Akpan
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has intervened in the current fuel crisis that has rocked the state for over two weeks.
Consequently, petroleum unions in the state have agreed to lift the ban on sale of petroleum products in the state.
According to Converseer, a statement dated September 25, by the Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the State Governor “met today with leaders of key unions in the petroleum sector to address the issues that led to the recent ban on the sale of petroleum products in the state”.
During the meeting, he said “the Governor was informed that two petroleum trucks were confiscated in Mbo Local Government Area by federal agencies and have been detained since May 2024.
“While acknowledging that the matter falls outside his jurisdiction, the Governor has directed the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways to liaise with the relevant authorities to ascertain the facts of the case.
Additionally, he expressed his commitment to exploring the establishment of a petroleum depot in the state.
In response, 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.
The statement said those in attendance at the meeting, included 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).
Findings by Pillar Today, showed that as a result of the protest by the petroleum unions, petrol and other related products became very scarce leading to high cost of the products and transportation by over 100 percent.
For instance a litre of petrol was selling for between N2,000 and N2,500 in some exclusive filling stations while black market sold for between N3,000 and N3,500. Transport fare in the state rose by over 100 percent as from Uyo to Ikot Akpaden for instance, it rose from N2,000 to N5,000.
