Fuel Scarcity Hits Abuja As NNPC Allays Fears

The nationwide strike by oil workers led to long fuel queues in Abuja on Monday as hundreds of motorists besieged the few filing stations that sold the product on the first day of the industrial action. The development slowed commercial activities in the Federal Capital Territory as many commuters were stranded for hours at various bus stops waiting for commercial buses that were seemingly unavailable. Our correspondent visited some ministries and agencies and observed that the often crowded car parks of most of the organisations were virtually empty. It was learnt that many workers were taken unawares by the strike as only those that had enough fuel in their vehicles and the few who were lucky to transport themselves to work were seen at the ministries on Monday. An official at the Federal Ministry of Environment, who simply gave his name as Nnamdi, said, “This strike came as a surprise. I was lucky to make it to work this morning and you can see that the place is virtually empty because many people are stranded because of the closure of filing stations due to the NUPENG and PENGASSAN strike.” Vendors of fuel cashed in on the development as many of them surfaced on major roads in the city selling the product in jerry cans of various shapes and sizes. Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation said the three-day strike action embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria as well as the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers would not dislocate the robust distribution and sale of fuel to members of the public. The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said the NNPC was in talks with the leadership of the unions who assured them that they would not disrupt the fuel supply and distribution system as the strike was basically aimed at addressing the anti-labour issues by some of the international oil companies. The corporation and its downstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company also revealed that it had over 32 days stock of petroleum products available for supply across the nation during the Yuletide season and beyond. It said 17 additional petroleum laden vessels were at the Lagos Port waiting to discharge to the various depots for onward distribution to members of the public. Source:punch