By Moboluwade Tobiloba
Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), affiliate members of the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG), has decided to suspend the strike scheduled to start on Monday, October 11.
Recall that the tanker drivers initially stated that they would commence the strike over the poor state of the nation’s highways and other issues.
Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the South-West Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, revealed the suspension of the strike in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, on Sunday.
The strike, which would have kicked off on Monday, disrupting fuel supply, was shelved because of the intervention by the Federal Government.
According to Aboyeji, the suspension is to allow union’s representatives and that of government to address the knotty issues at stake.
He said the union has lost many lives and property due to the bad state of the roads.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Sunday appealed to the drivers to stop their planned strike in order not to further hurt the economy and Nigerians in general.
Mr Garba Deen, the NNPC spokesman, made the appeal in a statement in Abuja.
He emphasized on the implications of the strike and the disruption such a move would would cause.
He said, “It will also endanger energy security, which the country has enjoyed in recent times.
“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.”
“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 added.
