From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State recorded partial compliance in today’s May 30 annual sit-at-home which was ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In Umuahia the state capital, perhaps in obedience to the appeal made by the new governor, Dr Alex Otti during his inauguration yesterday that striking workers should resume work, Government offices opened and some workers could be seen sitter in their offices.
Although, workers did not fully report for duties as a result of the biting fuel scarcity, occasioned by the rumoured removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government.
Banks in the state capital did not open for business, but customers were allowed the use of their ATM machines to withdraw cash.
Vehicular movement was restricted to some areas in Umuahia, while commercial tricycle operators and some commercial bus drivers provided skeletal services in some other areas.
Schools, shops as well as markets were also under lock and key as some pupils and students, oblivious to the sit-at-home order, returned home.
Reports from Aba indicated the order was observed by residents as schools, shops and markets were closed.
Equally, banks and Government offices were reported not to have opened. This is even as vehicular movement was disrupted.
Meanwhile, the decision of the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidies is having a telling effect on residents of the state.
Immediately after the news of the planned removal of the subsidy filtered into town, some filling stations in Umuahia adjusted their pump prices to N450 to N500 per litre.
When vehicle owners protested it was not proper that they sell their old stock at such exorbitant prices, the station owners closed their outlets.
However, with the emerging information that the new president, Bola Tinubu had announced the extension of the subsidy removal to July, normalcy may return at the filling stations.
