There is panic in Rivers State as filling stations shut down on Tuesday due to a dispute by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over price adjustments with Dangote Refinery.

Consequently, black marketers took advantage of the situation and started selling a litre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for N2,000.

Monitoring by The Guardian showed that commercial bus drivers and taxi drivers increased the transport fares from N200 to N300 per drop, depending on the destination.

For instance, a trip from Mile One in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area to Rumokoro in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, which previously cost N500, now costs N700.

Some stranded commuters were seen trekking long distances to their offices and business locations due to the limited number of vehicles on the road and the hike in transport fares.

It was, however, gathered that NUPENG officials stopped loading products across depots on Monday and kicked against Dangote Refineries’ alleged ban on workers’ unionism.

The State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor, confirmed the developments, stating that the union is standing firmly with NUPENG on the nationwide strike.

He emphasised that the action is to compel the government to restore long-standing concerns in the oil and gas sector.

He said, “So, as far as NLC in Rivers State is concerned, we stand on any decision of the council in fighting against whatever opposes the welfare of workers and what Dangote is doing to disrupt the workers’ freedom of association is highly condemned.”

Also speaking, a NUPENG representative at the Port Harcourt Refinery, Uche Udenwa, stated that the strike will be suspended once the government intervenes and addresses the concerns.

He said, “If all the issues of the union are met, the strike won’t last long, but if not, it continues.”

He said workers should not be restricted from unionism.

Speaking on this, some workers in the state, including University lecturers, argued that workers have the right to join unions and urged Dangote to follow and adhere to the laws of the land, stating that no one is above the law.

At the time this story was filed, filling stations across the state were still shut down, and black marketers were making brisk business from the sale of PMS, selling it for N2,000 to N2,500 per litre.