The pump prince of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as fuel, and black markets in Port Harcourt and its environ have increased as Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) vowed to continue indefinite strike to press forward their demands over unfair labour practices, inability of the government to carry out turn-around-maintenance (TAM) of all the nation’s refineries among others.
Our correspondent who went round the city reported that black marketers are springing up on daily basis as the filling stations are selling above the government recommended price, adding that NNPC assurance to motorists and other users of the petroleum products has been defeated.
We gather that members of the public are lamenting the increase of the pump price from N97 to 105.00 and N115.00 respectively, making traveling a difficult task.
The NNPC during its talk with the leaders of the union, through its group public affairs Division manger, Ohi Alegbe, promise that the strike would not cause any scarcity and increase in pump price, appealing that the public should not panic over the union action.
Meanwhile, comrade Chika Onuegbu has sounded a warning to the Petroleum Marketers Association that the union strike does not call for non-lifting of petroleum products. He maintained the strike is non political, pointing out that the Health sector is also on strike. ###
