Some petrol stations in the FCT on Monday opened for business in spite of the nationwide strike embarked upon by the organised labour against the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy.
A correspondent who visited some of the filing stations in Kubwa, reports that motorists and commercial motorcyclists were seen buying the products at different deregulated market prices in the city.
At the NNPC mega stations in Kubwa, there was long queue of vehicles as PMS was being sold at N138 per litre as against the N141 per litre obtained in nearby stations.
Manager of the NNPC filling station quickly ordered the closure of the station when he noticed this correspondent taking pictures and talking to motorists on queue.
Some of the motorists, who spoke to NAN, commended the courage of the stations for selling the products in spite of the ongoing strike.
Mr Ishaq Kawu, who succeeded in filling his tank at the NNPC station, expressed delight for being able to get the fuel at N138 per litre in spite of the strike.
“Honestly, I am here at the station to fill my car and honestly, with what I see in this station I am very happy because they come out, they opened and they were selling fuel to everybody in spite of the strike that is on bound, they still come out to sell. I am happy, I am glad that I have my car filled with the fuel that I needed.”
Kawu, however, called on the Government and the leadership of the labour unions to resolve the dispute amicably for the general good of the country.
A motorcyclist, who did not disclose his identity, also commended the management of the filling station for attending to customers in spite of the strike.
Market at Dutsi, near Kubwa, was also opened as traders were seen displaying their goods for sale.
Some of the traders, however, complained of low patronage as most residents remained indoors as a result of the strike.
Meanwhile major markets in Abuja were under lock and key with the commencement of the nationwide strike called by the labour movement and civil society organisations in protest against the removal of fuel subsidy.
Garki Model Market was closed while, at the Wuse Modern Market, traders were seen in front of locked shops discussing the situation.
A trader, Mr James Njoku, who deals in men’s wear, said: “We didn’t open our shops because we are scared.
“There are no customers and, as you can see, everybody is hanging around to know the next step to take.
“I will like the government to reduce the price of petrol, but I want the strike to stop because I will be losing more than N100,000 today alone.”
Mr Innocent Amaechina, Public Relations Officer, Abuja Markets Management Ltd, said that traders were not under compulsion to close their shops.“We are at work because the market is a public place; we cannot afford to stay away because of the sensitivity of the market.
Amaechina, however, said the traders were wary of opening their shops because “hoodlums can take advantage of the situation to vandalise their goods.”
“There has been a lot of conflicting reports between Friday and today concerning a court injunction describing the protest as illegal,’’ he said.
Protesters lead by labour leaders marched through some major roads of Abuja chanting slogans and displaying placards.
Among the protesters were representatives of civil society organisations and international non-governmental organisations.