The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has instructed civil servants in government employ to down tools and withdraw their services effective Thursday, September 26, 2024, citing unbearable hardship due to soaring fuel prices that have reached N2,500 per litre.
In solidarity with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTDs), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, enforced the closure of many independent petrol stations, leading to a price surge and a 200 percent increase in transport fares.
Comrade Francis Udoyen, the state IPMAN chairman, explained that the association joined the strike in response to military operatives of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) seizing fuel-laden tankers in Ibaka, Mbo local government area, over alleged smuggling activities.
During the 37th state creation anniversary speech on Monday, September 23, 2024, the governor warned that those selling gasoline above the approved price would face consequences, stating, “Let me warn those who are selling gasoline above the approved price that the government will not tolerate such unpatriotic actions. We will soon set up a task force to ensure that those engaging in this practice are brought to book.”
However, state NLC chairman Comrade Sunny James expressed frustration that 48 hours after the governor’s announcement, no substantial action had been taken, prompting him to call an emergency State Administrative Council (SAC) meeting. This meeting concluded that a strike was the last resort.
The statement titled “Withdrawal of Service” reads:
“Workers have been directed to stay at home starting Wednesday midnight due to the recent fuel price hike. This action is aimed at protesting the increase in fuel price and its impacts on the livelihood of workers and citizens.
“Following the directive of IPMAN, Akwa Ibom State chapter dated September 23, 2024, for their members to withdraw services to Akwa Ibom effective September 24, the State Administrative Council (SAC) of NLC convened an emergency session to discuss the impacts arising from this directive to our workers and citizens and resolved as follows:
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“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 to the already impoverished workers and citizens to adjust themselves to the impacts of the withdrawal of services.
“The meeting called on the governor to immediately inaugurate the Petroleum Industry Task Force (PITF) to check excesses going forward, as was promised in His Excellency’s 37th state anniversary speech.
“The SAC—in council further notes the negative but untold hardship our workers and citizens are facing in attending to their work and 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 is called off to enable citizens to breathe.”
