Fuel scarcity looms as oil workers plan to go on strike

Fuel scarcity looms as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENSASSAN, yesterday insisted on going on strike tomorrow to protest the proposed sale of the nation's four refineries by the Federal Government next year.

Already, most petrol stations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, remained shut to customers in anticipation of the strike.

The two unions had on December 17, 2013, threatened to go on nationwide strike from this week if the Federal Government did not withdraw its plan to privatise the refineries.

Some filling stations were locked up, though they had fuel in stock, apparently hoping to cash in on the anticipated scarcity.

Black marketers were ready to reap from the intended scarcity as they were seen displaying fuel in gallons in some streets, particularly near the filling stations that shut down.