Owerri, Imo State capital, was on Wednesday hit by feul scarcity as Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, IPMAN, shut down filling stations.
Their grouse, INNONEWS was informed, is the refusal of payment of compensation to one of its members whose filling station was destroyed by former Governor Rochas Okorocha administration.
According to reports, the decision of petroleum marketers to close filling stations, was anchored on a court judgement that their member should be paid compensation by the state government.
The closure of filling stations has forced the price of the product to be sold between N350 to N400 naira per liter within Owerri metropolis.
A busimo driver, who gave his name as Chika Obilor, said he purchased a litre of fuel at black market price for N500 per litre.
He said “I was unaware of the strike when I came out this morning and observed that almost all the filling stations at Aba Road was closed. I drove to Egbu road and witnessed the same situation.
“I had to go for black market where I bought feul for N500 and after this movement, I will go and packy my vehicle until the strike is resolved.
Areas visited by our correspondent such as Okigwe and Aba Roads, showed that all the filling stations in the area closed for business.
The Imo State Government, through the Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba said it has appealed the judgement of the court.
