The Association of Imo State Petroleum Marketers and Dealers (AIPMD) has washed its hands off the current scarcity of petroleum products in the state.
Secretary of the association, Ezeji blamed the scarcity rather on tanker drivers who have refused to lift the products for members of the AIPMD.
Speaking on a live radio programme on 99.5FM Owerri on Tuesday, Ezeji disclosed that members of AIPMD had exhausted their stock after the last three-day strike embarked upon by the association.
The association had embarked on strike on Wednesday, August 25 in solidarity with one of their colleagues who obtained a court judgement ordering that he be paid compensation by the state government for illegally demolishing his filling station in Orlu.
The strike was suspended three days later precisely on Friday, August 27 but with a caveat that the strike would resume in two weeks if the state government fails to accede to the demand of the association.
Residents of the state were therefore shocked to wake on Tuesday, August 31, three days after the strike to witness long queues at few filling stations that were dispensing fuel while a lot many other stations remained shut.
Ezeji blamed the present scarcity on the refusal of tanker drivers to lift petroleum products for members of AIPMD.
According to him, the tanker drivers were infuriated by the comment of the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma that residents of the state could dash to neighbouring states of Abia and Anambra to procure fuel.
Ezeji further informed that the oil marketer whose station was illegally demolished happened to be a former tanker driver, stressing the tanker drivers have not only blacklisted Imo State but the entire five South Eastern states.
Ezeji said; “Marketers are ready to serve the public, but we have run out of stock because petroleum tanker drivers suspended delivery to Imo State in solidarity with their former colleague.
“I think what got the tanker drivers angry was the governor’s comment that Imolites should go to neighbouring states which are equidistant to Imo State to fetch fuel. I know the governor meant it as a joke but the tanker drivers have taken it to heart.
“The challenge now is that the tanker drivers have blacklisted the entire five states in the South East.
