Vehicle owners and commuters in Asaba , Warri , and adjourning towns were yesterday hit by the crippling effect of the scarcity of petroleum products following the total closure yesterday of all petrol stations by the Delta state chapter of Independent Petroluem Marketers Association OF Nigeria (IPMAN).
The marketers are protesting against the official pump price of N70 per liter approved by the Federal Government after a negotiation with the national body of the workers umbrella union, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) about fours days after the strike to press home the demand by Nigerians for reduction in the prices of petrol products.
Already the body of IPMAN in the state and the executive arm of the state chapter of NLC yesterday went into a protracted hours of deliberations in the commercial city of Warri to fashion out lasting solution to the lingering problem occasioned by the increase.
The markers are insisting on the sale of the domestic product at the rate of N80 per liter as against the approved price that has the backing of abour.However, black markerters have cashed on the dearth of the essential product to exploit motorists and motocycle operators popularly refered to as Okada riders prompting alarming increase of fares in the city and other towns.
THISDAY Checks revealed that the situation has set off a booming business for black marketers as a liter of petrol is sold for N130 while a gallon of four liters rose to N900 even hawkers made brisk business following the rush as there was no drop of the product any where in the capital city.
The development compounded the plight of commuters who resorted to trekking while other motorists were stranded.
Confirming the ugly development in an interview, the state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Mike Okeme said the close of the petrol stations was because of the ongoing meeting in Warri town where the two bodies converged to iron out strategies on the way forward in the sale of petrol products in the state.
He disclosed that the IPM members had complained of lifting the products at exorbitant prices from Lagos depot and cannot cope with the N70 price approved by the government but expressed optimism that positive result would be achieved at the end of the deliberations.
He also called on government relevant organ to checkmate the activities of black marketers.
Jul112007