FUEL SCARCITY PERSIST IN IMO AS COMMISSIONER DECLARES STRIKE ILLEGAL

Reporter : CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Imo State Government has described as illegal the ongoing strike by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association in the state. Addressing journalists in government house Owerri, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba, said there was no justification for the strike since government had appealed the high court judgment, which directed it to pay compensation to a man whose fuel station was demolished by former governor Rochas Okorocha administration in Orlu.

He said despite appeals by the government for the marketers to reconsider their position in the interest of the masses, the striking petroleum dealers remained adamant. Mr. Emelumba, however, noted that there was a limit to which the will of the government would be tested by the fuel dealers as that the present administration had a duty to ensure the welfare of citizens.

On the alleged multiple taxation imposed on fuel marketers, the Commissioner debunked the allegation insisting that every action of the government was backed by law. Meanwhile, a meeting between the fuel marketers and representatives of the state government on Thursday ended in deadlock as residents continue to battle with high cost of transportation owing to fuel scarcity.