AKHA Intervenes To End IPMAN’s Strike

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has directed its Committee on Petroleum Matters to urgently interface with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) and Joint Task Force (JTF) officials in a bid to find lasting solution to the ongoing strike by IPMAN in the state.

IPMAN on Monday evening had issued a press statement notifying the public of closure of all fuel outlets as a demonstration against the seizure of fuel tankers by officers of Joint Task Force.

This has resulted into artificial scarcity in the state with a liter sold for as much as N2000 (Two Thousand Naira only)

The situation which has aggravated the already high cost of living in the state pushed the Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong led 8th assembly to seek ways that could alleviate the suffering of the masses.

Speaker Otong who presided over Tuesday’s plenary also empowered the Petroleum Committee to entreat Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) to call off its strike and reopen their stations in the interest of the people.

This call was in response to matter of urgent public importance brought before the House by Hon. Mrs. Kenim Onofiok, member representing Oron / Udung Uko State Constituency on “The Need To Urgently Address The Issue Of Fuel Scarcity in Akwa Ibom State” to redress IPMAN’s notice of withdrawal of service and directive to all her members to close their filling stations against the public from Tuesday, 24th September, 2024 over what they described as seizure of their members’ trucks by the JTF over 4 months ago.

Being aware of the recurrent crisis over the years between members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) in Akwa Ibom State and Joint Task Force (JTF) officials, the motion got worried that if this situation persists, there may be serious crisis resulting in breakdown of law and order in the State.

According to the motion, Hon. Onofiok raised that “as at today, Petrol stations in Akwa Ibom are shut against the public and the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol has skyrocketed from N2,000 to N2,500 in the few petrol stations that are selling and the black market dealers have capitalized on this, resulting in high cost of transportation closing down of business and inability of workers to get to their offices” the lawmaker said.

In his remarks, the Deputy Leader, Rt. Hon. Barr Otobong Bob expressed sadness over the present situation as well as called for urgent intervention.

He said from market survey Akwa Ibom marketers sell Petroleum products at the highest rate in the South South and South East region, a situation which has affected all facets of human life as fuel remains one of the most used commodity and source of power generation in the society.

In his observations, Hon Jerry Otu also remarked the actions of IPMAN as likely to be an act of sabotage to the present government mostly as the state globally referenced for tourism is celebrating her 37th Anniversary of its creation.

Furthermore, the member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno and Chairman House Committee on Petroleum matters Hon. Engr. Udobia Friday decried that the situation has translated to a serious and negative economic hardship, hunger, pains if not death to the people, and an act which may likely disrupt the forthcoming local government elections.

He thereby called for urgent government intervention mostly as PHED has not been able to constantly power medical facilities with electricity to save lives. The lawmaker also raised concerned over fuel stations tempering with their pump metres which according to him needs prompt government attention.

In another development, the House has passed into law, a Bill for a law to prohibit stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and to regulate the practice of HIV/AIDS counselling and testing and for other matters connected therewith.

The passage of the Bill was sequel to adoption of the report of the House Committee on Health as presented by its Chairman, Moses Essien , member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency on the floor of the House.

According to the report, the bill will safeguard the constitutional rights of people living with HIV/AIDs by Prohibiting discrimination in various settings including employment, healthcare, education etc thereby protecting their interest and dignity and early detection of the virus and treatment of affected person(s) and sensitisation against discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDs which will promote a culture of acceptance and understanding in alignment with global efforts to end AIDs by 2030.

Moreso, the report also has it that the Bill will strengthen the enlightenment efforts of the State Government on HIV/AIDs, improve access to health care, punish individuals or groups who peddle false information on the cure of HIV/AIDs with the aim of defrauding people living with the virus.

Consequently, Moses also added that the Committee’s recommendation for passage of the Bill into law followed its interaction at the public hearing, which elicited the views of the stakeholders and the general public on the merits of the Bill.

Similarly, the Bill for a law to establish Akwa Ibom in Diaspora Investment Commission (AKIDICOM), to encourage and promote Foreign and diaspora Investment in the state economy and for other matters connected therewith has passed second reading and committed to House Committee on Investment and Economic Development for further Legislative actions.

This private member Bill according to the sponsor, Hon. Jerry Otu, member representing Ikot Ekpene / Obot Akara State Constituency seeks to promote and encourage Foreign Diaspora investment and also promotes foreign Direct investment in Nigeria economy.

Speaking in support of the Bill, the Deputy House Leader Rt. Hon Otobong Bob, a co- sponsor of Bill opined that the Bill will help improve the economy of the state. He pointed that many Akwa Ibom people living outside the country are doing well and need to invest but the question remains “How and through what means to invest?” stressing that one thing is having the funds, another is the proper channel of funds which may inturn jeopardize the intended plan of investment.

Meanwhile, the Speaker Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak Orok, to communicate the House resolutions to His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno for his assent.

However, the House has adjourned its plenary to reconvene on Tuesday 8th October, 2024 at 10:00am