NUPENG Strike Action Stokes Fears Of Fuel Scarcity
By Emmanuel Awosika
The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) yesterday instructed members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers association (Lagos Zone) to stop fuel distribution within Lagos and its environs.
According to the union, the strike action was aimed at protesting the take-over of access roads to tank farms and fuel depots by containerized trucks.
Other issues responsible for the strike include the prevalence of dilapidated roads and the extortion of tanker drivers by security agents in Lagos and surrounding areas.
In its statement, NUPENG expressed disappointment at the State Government’s failure to address these issues, even after it had lodged several complaints.
The statement reads in part, “The entire rank and file members of the Union are deeply pained, frustrated and agonized by these challenges being consistently faced by Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State and are left with no other option but to direct the withdrawal of their services in Lagos state until Lagos State Government and other relevant Stakeholders address these critical challenges.”
“It is sad and disheartening to note that we had made several appeals and reports to Lagos State Government and the Presidential Task Force for the decongestion of Apapa on these challenges but all to no avail.”
“It is really disturbing and as well inexplicable that security agents who are expected to ensure free-flow of traffic and protection of road users now use their uniforms and arms to intimidate, harass and extort money from Petroleum Tanker Drivers. This reprehensible conduct is taking serious tolls on the psychological, emotional and financial state of Petroleum Tanker Drivers and their capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver services to the nation.”
“This menace must stop and the leadership of these security operatives in Lagos State must go all out to call their men to order with immediate effect . Everyone of them should be content with their salaries and allowances rather than turning hapless Petroleum Tanker Drivers to money making machine.“Persistent traffic gridlock and indiscriminate parking of containerized trucks on major Lagos roads and bridges leading to Apapa port, Kirikiri, Beach Land, Satellite Town, Ijegun, are another major setbacks bedeviling the smooth running of the operations of Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State.”
“As at today, MRS Depot have been held captive for more than three months from discharging products to Petroleum Tanker Drivers despite heavy availability of Petroleum products stockpiled in their tank farm facilities.”
“For safety reasons, Petroleum Tanker Drivers cannot continue to struggle with these containerized trucks in these corridors considering the inflammable nature of the products our members carry and we cannot afford to undermine safety standards, procedures and protocols in the course of our services.”
