The bickering between the Rivers State government and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and other related unions, over the strike embarked upon by oil workers on Wednesday, may lead to the return of long queues to filling stations in Port Harcourt.

NUPENG and other relevant bodies had ordered the closure of filling stations in the state and also directed tanker drivers to stop the distribution of fuel following what they described as the continued arrest of members and seizure of their tankers.

Speaking with ThePunch, NUPENG Chairman, Port Harcourt Zone, Alex Agwanwor, said the filling stations would remain closed, while tanker drivers would stay off the roads until the issues were resolved.

“We are trying to resolve one issue, but another issue will be coming up. It (strike) is an unfortunate situation, but for now, we have directed our tanker drivers to relax (stop work) until these issues are resolved.

“They cannot be going on the road to distribute fuel and being harasses for carry out their legal duty by one task force or security agency. The tanker owners are also the filling station owners; they are also affected.

“Some of the tankers are still seized, while some of our tankers are arrested. The issues have to be resolved before we can get back to work. If they are not released, do you want more of them to also be arrested? We can’t have our member in continuous detention,” Agwanwor stated.

But the State Commissioner for Energy, Peter Medee, told ThePUNCH in a telephone interview that it was wrong for the unions to direct their members to embark on strike when 70 percent of their demands had been met.

“They made some requests and we have fulfilled 70 percent of the request they made. So, I was surprised they still decided to go on strike. All their men that were arrested have been released and some of the vehicles have been released.

“There are some of the vehicles that would need some processes with the EFCC before they would be released. If they are not patient enough to wait for that, then I don’t think there is anything I can do in the interim because there are processes to release the vehicles.

“If one tanker was seized, is it enough to hold the entire Rivers State to ransom? So, because one tanker was seized, does it mean that the entire state should suffer? By the way, that vehicle too has also been released to them,” Medee added.

However, motorists were surprised to notice the closure of all filling stations in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, as some of them, who did not buy fuel on Tuesday expressed regret over the unexpected development.

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation in Port Harcourt observed that Tonnino filling station, Jet and Royal Dynasty on Ada George Road were all shut down.

Also, Eterna and Forte Oil filling stations located along Peter Odili Road were also shut down, though some fuel attendants were inside Eterna filling station, but did not dispense fuel.

A taxi driver, who identified himself as Jude, told our correspondent that he thought that government and tanker drivers had resolved their differences.

“I didn’t know that they are still angry with each other. If I knew, I would have bought fuel yesterday before going home. But as it is, I will have to go back home since I cannot buy fuel anywhere,” he said.