Nigerians have appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
A NAN correspondent who monitored the situation in Ibadan on Monday reported that many filling stations were closed, though a few remained open, while Nigerian National Petroleum Company retail outlets continued to dispense fuel.
The strike, declared by IPMAN’s Western Zone and NUPENG, followed opposition to plans by Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company and MRS Energy Ltd to begin direct distribution of Premium Motor Spirit.
Commercial driver, Mr Alani Adegoke, expressed worry that prolonged industrial action could worsen hardship for citizens. “We want government to respond to this crisis before it festers and degenerates into a serious issue,” he said.
A commercial motorcyclist, Mr Gbenga Oworu, said he hoped ongoing discussions would bring a quick resolution. “We don’t want anything that will make life harder for common people. Many of us, if we don’t go out in a day, cannot eat or provide food for our families,” he said.
A businesswoman, Mrs Olubunmi Bamigbade, urged authorities to act before schools resume next week. “If the issue lingers when schools resume, then it will be a big problem for Nigerians. We want our government to rise to the occasion and resolve it,” she said.
Despite the strike, NAN observed normal activities in areas including Bashorun, Akobo, Ikolaba, Bodija, Ring Road, Oke-Ado, Dugbe and Jericho.
(NAN)