Fuel Crisis: NLC Directs Akwa Ibom Workers to Stay at Home
By Ekemini Simon
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council has directed all workers in Akwa Ibom State to withdraw their services and stay at home.
The direction issued on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 by the State Administrative Council of NLC is effective midnight of September 25, 2024 until the fuel impasse in Akwa Ibom State is resolved and the strike actions of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) are called off.
NLC in a letter written to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Umo Eno said the reason for the direction is to enable citizens to breathe due to the high cost of fuel price in the State.
The NLC said workers and citizens have been affected by untold hardship while attending to their work/businesses.
The price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol now sells in the State at N2000 per litre as petroleum marketers down tools over alleged confiscation of their trucks loaded by Joint Task Force officials.
The NLC called on Governor Umo Eno to personally intervene on the fuel crisis by setting up a team to investigate claims from parties in dispute which necessitated the confiscation of the PMS loaded trucks and subsequent withdrawal of services.
They called on the Governor to immediately inaugurate the Petroleum Monitoring Taskforce to check the excesses going forward as was promised in the 37th State Anniversary Speech of the Governor.
The NLC said they frown at the short notice given to the already impoverished workers and citizens to re-adjust themselves on the impact the withdrawal of services will cause them.
The letter added ” While calling for the immediate and amicable resolution of the matter, Organised Labour are calling on parties to sheath their sword and not make Akwa Ibom experimental grounds. for negative actions”.