Imo govt urges oil marketers to end strike, seeks reduction in transport fares

 Imo govt urges oil marketers to end strike, seeks reduction in transport fares

Imo State government has urged striking oil marketers and tanker drivers to suspend their actions and follow due process in the resolution of the conflict.

It reiterated its earlier position that the strike is illegal since the contentious matter of judgment debt is before the Appeal Court.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba said although what the oil marketers are doing amounted to blackmail and economic sabotage, Government has reached out to them to ensure that the strike is called off.

“We have initiated talks with them.  But it is important for Nigerians to know that the matter for which they started this strike is still in court. In the eyes of the law, the strike is illegal,” the commissioner averred.

According to him, what government did was simply to appeal the judgment to enable it understand fully what was involved since it was the administration of Rochas Okorocha that carried out the act under consideration.

Emelumba advised the oil workers to immediately call of the strike for the interest of Imo masses whom he said are innocent victims of their ill-advised action.

“Government has a responsibility to protect the interest of the many, particularly when undue hardship is inflicted on them for no fault of theirs.  There is a limit any person or group can test the will of government in this regard,” the commissioner added.

Meanwhile, the prices Petroleum products particularly petrol and gas have sky rocketed from N165 per litre of fuel and N350 per litre of gas to N500 and N600 respectively.

In a related development, Imo youths yesterday gave the oil marketers 24 hours to call off the ongoing strike action or face consequences of subjecting the citizens in the state to unhealthy tensions.

In a communiqué issued to reporters after an emergency meeting in Owerri, the state capital by the Coalition of Youth Organisations(CYO) and signed by Prince Fortune Chinonso, Comrade Anaemem Obikaeze and Comrade Bathlomew Umah, the youth warned the marketers to call off the strike as it was adversely affecting the well-being of citizenry in the state.

“The youths in Imo State have given petroleum marketers 24hoirs within which they should call off their strike and open their filling stations for business or be ready to face the consequences of subjecting Imolites to unhealthy tensions.”