A strike by tanker drivers in Akwa Ibom State as a result of an alleged misunderstanding with security operatives has led to a looming fuel scarcity with most of the filling stations in Uyo, the state capital shutting down operations.
It was gathered that the tanker drivers are on strike because a tanker with petroleum products was involved in a crash some weeks ago spilling the products on the street and the tanker engulfed in flames.
It was also learnt that the accident occurred when security operatives attempted to take over the tanker from the diver with a view to checking its compliance with stipulated guidelines.
Findings also showed that the accident which occurred in Itu local government area claimed many lives as the product caught fire on impact setting nearby houses ablaze.
Consequently, tankers driver association has prevented all petroleum tankers from delivering products to Akwa Ibom state until the issues are settled.
Akwa Ibom state does not have any petroleum depot as all deliveries are either from Calabar in Cross River State or Port Harcourt in Rivers state.
In many of the petrol stations visited in Uyo, customers were notified about the strike saying that there will be disruption of service due to the strike by the tanker drivers.
Following the strike which began Saturday, few filling stations with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol were selling petrol between N170 and N190 per litre.
Speaking in a telephone interview, an official of petroleum monitoring committee, an agency of the state government said it was wrong for the petroleum marketers to increase the price of petrol since they were selling the old stock.
The official who did not want his name in print to avoid being attacked by the marketers also stated that rhw committee has held a meeting with the zonal chairman of the petroleum marketers adding that the demand of tanker drivers association was outrageous.
“They are demanding that the security operatives involved should provide a new tanker with petroleum product before they would allow tanker drivers to deliver petrol to the state,’’ he said.
According to him, with such demands made by the tanker drivers association, it is likely that the strike would last for a long time.
He declined to comment whether the state government has been notified about the strike by the tanker drivers.
