Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured of uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the state, threatening to meet with overwhelming force any group who attempts to disrupt products supply in the state.
This as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, had directed its members to suspend operations in Akwa Ibom, following a face-off with the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association, NOGASA.
Secretary of IPMAN in Akwa Ibom State, Ekom Udoh, said the move was imperative due to a series of “infractions into their businesses caused by the activities of Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association, NOGASA, where members’ products were impounded on the road and extorted.”
But in a swift reaction, Governor Eno said he has contacted the authentic leadership of IPMAN who had countered the threats of strike by those he described as a faceless group.
The governor said the Commissioner for Internal Security has been directed to liaise with the Coordinator of Ibom Community Watch and other security agencies to mount surveillance at the borders to checkmate the factional group from carrying out their intentions.
He noted that Nigerians have been severely impoverished by the present economic realities and warned groups or persons not to worsen the situation, stressing that his government will contain them frontally to drive home its mandate of ensuring the welfare of the citizenry .
“There is a false news in circulation from an unknown group. They say they want to withdraw their service of fuel delivery in Akwa Ibom. We have contacted the original and authentic group who have since countered that announcement.
“I have directed the Honourable Commissioner for Internal Security to work with the Coordinator of Ibom Community Watch to ensure that no one whatsoever blocks the road, or stops tankers from bringing petroleum products into Akwa Ibom. No one whatsoever would be allowed to do so especially a faceless group. We are ready to meet them with our overwhelming force.
“The Internal Security Ministry would mobilize the Police, the Army, Air Force, the Navy to ensure that there is a free flow of petroleum products all over the State. We are not in a lawless society. We will not allow a faceless group to intimidate us.
“In the wake of the prevailing hardship in the country, if any group believes it can constitute themselves into a nuisance and create additional hardship for the people of the country, and people of Akwa Ibom, we will confront that group. I don’t care where they belong to, I don’t care who is sponsoring them. I can guarantee them as a Governor of this State that they will be brought to book and made to face the full weight of the law.”