Fuel Scarcity In Nigeria's Crude Oil Hub (Port Harcourt, Rivers State)

Queues have surfaced in some filling stations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following a directive by the Eastern Zone of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, to its members in the state to suspend loading and distribution of products.
Chairman of the union, Mr Godwin Eruba, said members took the action to protest alleged police harassment of its members at the premises of an oil firm, Weatherford Nigeria Limited.

He said members were picketing the firm over labour related issues when policemen allegedly started molesting the union members.
Similarly, national industrial officer of NUPENG, Mr. Bassey Harry, said the strike which commenced yesterday, would only be suspended when  the police officers who harassed the union members were made to face the law.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has expressed support for NUPENG’s action, saying the Rivers State Government, Commissioner of Police and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, should step in to resolve the crisis.
State Chairman of TUC, Mr Chika Unuegbu,  said it was shocked that the Police could be so ruthless over a labour related issue.
The Police on its part denied  that its men harassed members of the union.