Nigerian petroleum tanker drivers suspend proposed strike
The National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG) have suspended proposed strike by its affiliate members, Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), earlier scheduled to start on Monday
Penpushing reports that, the South-West Zonal Chairman of National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers(NUPENG) Tayo Aboyeji, made this development known on Sunday, explaining that the suspension, is to allow union’s representatives and that of government to address the knotty issues at stake.
“The leadership of the union after a brief meeting with representatives of government decided to suspend the strike in the interest of the nation. The meeting with the government continues during the week with the assurance that the union grievances will be positively addressed,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that, in a related development, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) appealed to the drivers to immediately shelve their planned strike in order not to further hurt the economy and Nigerians in general.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Public Relations Officer, Garba Deen, on Sunday made the appeal in a statement, while explaining that it is not the responsibility of the corporation to build or rehabilitee roads, noted that it reckon that any disruption in the distribution of petroleum products to different parts of Nigeria will adversely affect the business of the corporation.
‘While it is not the responsibility of the NNPC to build or rehabilitate roads, the national oil company reckons that any disruption in the distribution of petroleum products to different parts of Nigeria will adversely affect the business of the NNPC.It will also endanger energy security, which the country has enjoyed in recent times’, he said.
‘In recognition of this, the NNPC wishes to assure the petroleum tanker drivers that in addition to the ongoing efforts by other agencies of government, the NNPC has initiated a process that will provide a quick and effective solution to the road network challenges as expressed by the PTD,’ he stated.
“We urge PTD to immediately call off the (planned) strike and give the current efforts by the government and its agencies a chance to solve the challenges in the interest of all. We also wish to strongly advise Nigerians not to engage in panic buying of petroleum products as the NNPC has sufficient stock to last through this festive season and beyond,’ he said.
Penpushing also reports that, it is recalled that, the petroleum tanker drivers on Saturday threatened o embark on strike on Monday over the deplorable condition of the roads in the country, coupled with lost of lives of their colleagues and property.
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