Fuel queues (file photo)

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

The strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, NUPENG over sack of its members by some companies operating in Rivers and Bayelsa States is now taking its toll on motorists and consumers of petroleum products in Port Harcourt.

The City of Port Harcourt is already hit by acute fuel scarcity as most stations have ran out stock.

Our correspondent who went round Petrol stations in Rumuodamaya headquarters of Obio-Akpor local area found out this morning that only one petrol station is dispensing products to consumers in the area.

The station which goes by the name Paflox is selling to consumers at the rate of N160 per litre.

On the other hand, the black markers are now selling N2, 200 for 10 litres amidst long queues of motorists waiting to buy the product in other filling stations that were not dispensing.

Motorists who spoke to this magazine expressed fear that the scarcity may lead to increase prices of goods and services in the State.

The motorists called on government to intervene in order to save them from another scarcity of petroleum scarcity.

Charles Eleto, the Acting Zonal Chairman of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Port Harcourt, who confirmed the ongoing strike, explained that some members of the union were sacked by oil services companies in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

He however assured that the strike may soon be called off, following ongoing negotiations with the affected companies.

However, as at this morning, the scarcity of petroleum products has not significantly affected the intracity transport fares.