A coalition of youths in Ekiti has threatened mass action against petroleum marketers in the state for cutting off the fuel supply to residents.

The biting petrol scarcity has paralysed activities in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, as motorists travelled to Akure in Ondo State to buy fuel.

The youths, under the aegis of Ekiti Youth Artisans Coalition, in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, alleged that the fuel scarcity was “a deliberate ploy by the dealers to cripple Ekiti and arrest the socio-economic development currently being witnessed in the state.

In the statement signed by Olakunle Ajayi (President) and Odunlade Aribisala (Secretary), the group said they were artisans and self-employed young people, who were among those affected most by this “deliberate act of economic sabotage” currently going on in the state.

They claimed that their association had tried to find out what led to the current fuel scarcity and were unable to get any credible answer.

“We found that Ekiti is the only victim in this current attack on the powers that be in the petroleum business.

“We are frustrated because tailors, dry cleaners, barbers, drivers, cold room operators, relaxation joint operators and many other small businesses of our members are being killed by this act of the marketers which we see as pure wickedness and lack of humanity.

“If the marketers refuse to rescind their decision and begin to sell petrol to Ekiti people within 24 hours, we will be forced to embark on a mass action and the consequences may not be pleasant.

“As a result of impunity, callousness, greed and unpatriotic action of the dealers, which has caused untold hardship to Ekiti people.

“Our patience is running out because the action of the petrol marketers against the people of Ekiti is the height of selfishness, and we cannot further condone their deliberate plan to sabotage the Ekiti economy.”

But reacting to the threat of mass action, Fayose appealed to the youths not to take laws into their hands as the state government was “seriously working to resolve the matter and restore normalcy in that sector of the economy of the state.”

Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, admitted that the youths had submitted the statement to the governor.

“We sympathise with them and the generality of the Ekiti public, but we urge them to maintain the peace as the government is resolutely addressing the matter.”

 

Source: Punchng.com

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