Rivers State will experience fuel scarcity in coming days if the misunderstanding between the Petroleum Tankers Drivers and security agencies in the state is not resolved.
Mr. Joseph Ebele, Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) gave the warning in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Petroleum Tanker Drivers had embarked on strike to protest missing content of two fully-loaded trucks of petroleum products alleged to have been impounded by security operatives in the state.
Ebele said that the ongoing strike by the Tanker Drivers Union if not resolved could lead to very long queues at fuel stations in the State.
“I want to state that about two months ago, two trucks suspected to have been loaded with adulterated petroleum products were impounded by security operatives.
“The trucks were, however, shifted to the security base while samples were also collected for further laboratory analysis.
“After the analysis, it was confirmed that the suspected products were actually legitimate products and not adulterated as claimed by the security personnel.
“On that note, the owners of the products were invited to claim their goods but when they got to the security base, the two originally fully-loaded trucks were found empty.
“PTD has declared that no truck is permitted to load or convey petroleum products in any depot within the state pending replacement of the alleged missing products,” he said.
He however advised the public to remain calm as necessary steps to end the strike as soon as possible were being put in place.
