By Udeme Hosea

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Rt Hon Nsikak Ekong, has commended the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for suspending their industrial strike.

Ekong expressed this appreciation earlier today at Luton Park Hotels, Uyo, shortly after IPMAN called off the strike.

The Environment Boss announced the state government’s commitment to resolving the issues that prompted IPMAN to initiate the strike and expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno PhD, for being a listening leader and for his leadership strides.

Ekong also pledged to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom State Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC)  to ensure the aspirations of IPMAN  are met.

Expressing concerns, the state chairman of IPMAN, Comrade Francis Udoeyen, hinted that their decision to suspend the strike action was because of their respect for Governor Umo Eno, whose policies focus on grassroots development and their desire for peace.

He explained that the industrial action was due to unresolved issues since May, which affected some of their members, including one been hospitalized.

 “We suspended the strike out of respect for the governor and a desire for peace,” Ukoeyen said.

Also, Chairman of PPMC, Hon Godwin Ekpo, thanked Governor Umo Eno for his intervention, describing the governor’s efforts as timely and impactful.

Ekpo also affirmed the committee’s commitment to making agreed resolutions a reality