Hopes of normalcy in the fuel crisis which led to an all-time rise in petrol prices up to N2,500 in Akwa Ibom have brightened following the intervention of Governor Umo Eno in resolving the feud between industry players.
The sudden price scarcity and hike in fuel price followed the dispute between the Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), who impounded two fuel-loaded trucks belonging to the state chapter of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTDA) over allegations that the product was smuggled.
In solidarity with the affected marketers, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) ordered its members in the state to shut fuel outlets.
However, Governor Eno convened a meeting with the leadership of the PTDA and IPMAN at Government House in Uyo, the state capital on Wednesday to resolve the dispute.
Speaking on the resolution reached at the end of the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, recalled that the governor was briefed about two petroleum trucks that were confiscated at Ibaka in Mbo since May 2024 by the security operatives.
Ememobong explained that the matter was beyond the governor’s authority, but has directed the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, to liaise with relevant authorities to ascertain the true facts of the case.
He said, “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 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 roots of what the issues are.”
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.
For his part, the Port Harcourt Zonal Chairman of PTDA, Comrade Joseph Okafor said the governor has given the union his words to liaise with relevant bodies to ensure that the product confiscated by security operatives on the 5th of May, is returned to the union.
Similarly, 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.
