Imo residents count losses as tanker drivers shelve strike

As the two-week strike embarked by petrol tanker drivers came to an end residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, have continued to count their losses from the action. The drivers downed tools on August 27 following a disagreement with the Imo State Environmental Transmission Commission (ENTRACO) over parking fees. They had also complained about […]

As the two-week strike embarked by petrol tanker drivers came to an end residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, have continued to count their losses from the action.

The drivers downed tools on August 27 following a disagreement with the Imo State Environmental Transmission Commission (ENTRACO) over parking fees.

They had also complained about multiple charges by different organs of government.

The situation had forced many fuel stations to run out of the product while the commuting public suffered a lot of harrowing experiences.

A litre of fuel went as high as N400 while major marketers had to ration sales and at some point, closed shop entirely.

This led to a corresponding increase in transport fares to by as high as 300 per cent.

However, at a meeting between the state government and officials of the tanker drivers’ union, the drivers agreed to start lifting petroleum products once again.

Our correspondent, who went round the metropolis, observed that residents were delighted as queues have gradually disappeared from the stations.

Some residents and drivers, who spoke to our correspondent prayed against such experience.

Mike Madu, a bus driver plying Nekede – Ihiagwa – Poly road said his business was seriously impacted by the three-week strike.

He said, “The strike affected me. Getting fuel was like looking for gold. As a daily worker, my family had to go without food some nights”.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, expressed happiness at the resolution of the issues that led to the strike.