The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all civil servants in Akwa Ibom State to commence an indefinite strike, starting Thursday, September 26, 2024, in response to the sharp increase in fuel prices, which have soared to N2,500 per litre in the state.
The situation has been exacerbated by a nationwide shutdown of independent petrol stations, enforced by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) in solidarity with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTDs).
This followed the seizure of fuel-laden tankers by military operatives from Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) in Ibaka, an oil community in Mbo local government area, over allegations of fuel smuggling.
Although Governor Umo Eno had earlier pledged to address the fuel price manipulation and hold those responsible accountable, the NLC expressed frustration over the lack of effective government action to resolve the crisis.
The union criticized the state government’s failure to mitigate the impact of the fuel scarcity on citizens, particularly the hardships faced by workers.
In a statement, the NLC emphasized that the strike is a direct response to the ongoing fuel shortage and its devastating effects on the people of Akwa Ibom. The union demanded that Governor Eno take immediate steps to resolve the fuel crisis and protect workers’ rights. Additionally, the NLC called for the establishment of a task force to investigate the military’s confiscation of fuel tankers and to ensure accountability in handling the situation.
The strike is expected to disrupt essential services across the state, as the NLC intensifies its pressure on the government to address the fuel crisis and provide relief to the affected population.
The directive reads:
“Workers have been directed to stay at home starting Wednesday midnight due to the recent fuel price hike. This action aimed at protesting the increase in fuel price and its impacts on the likelihood of workers and citizens.
“Following the directive of IPMAN, Akwa Ibom State chapter dated September, 23rd, 2024, for their members to withdraw services to Akwa Ibom effective September 24, the State Administrative Council (SAC) of NLC, met at an emergency session to discuss the impacts arising from this directive to our workers and citizens and do resolve as follows:
“His Excellency, the governor should personally intervene by setting up a team to investigate claims from parties in dispute that necessitated the confiscation of the PMS–loaded trucks and subsequent withdrawal of services.
“The SAC in session frowned at the short notice given the already impoverished workers and citizens to re-adjust themselves on the impacts of the withdrawal of services will cause them.
“The meeting called on the governor to immediately inaugurate the Petroleum Industry Task Force (PITF) to check the excesses going forward as was promised in His Excellency’s 37th state anniversary speech.
“The SAC – -in – council further note the negative, but untold hardship our workers and citizens are going through in attending to their work/businesses and hereby directs all workers to withdraw their services and stay at home effective midnight of September 25, 2024, until this impasse is resolved and the strike action of IPMAN called off to enable citizens breath.”
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