Mkpoikana Udoma 25 November 2015, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The Trade Union Congress, TUC, says the current fuel scarcity across the country is being exacerbated by the role of what it described as an oil cartel, describing the role of the group as “shameful”.
“It is shameful that the oil cartel will subject Nigerians and Rivers people to excruciating pains just because they want to make super profit despite government intervention,” the Rivers State Chapter of TUC said in its reaction to the fuel scarcity.
The union, in a statement by the Rivers State TUC Chairman, Mr. Chika Onuegbu, also lamented “the determination of private depot owners in starving Rivers people of petroleum products”.
The TUC chairman accused the depot owners of shutting down their depots and only selling at night at exorbitant prices.
He called on the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, the Rivers State Government and law enforcement agencies to compel the depot owners to open and ensure that the products are released to petroleum marketers.
“Since President Buhari has approved about N413 billion subsidy payment backlog, it is imperative that products are readily made available to the people,” he said.