Olusola Bello
The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Sunday announced the suspension of the planned withdrawal of the services by petroleum tanker drivers earlier scheduled to begin by midnight yesterday.
The suspension, according to the union, followed the understanding the union reached with the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at a meeting yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and the expected outcome of a follow-up meeting scheduled to hold today in Abuja.
William Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale NUPENG National President and General Secretary respectively made this known is a signed the statement.
According to the statement, it reads: “The suspension of our planned action is predicated on our belief that the understanding reached with the government today as well as at meeting of Tuesday, October 12, 2021 will be fulfilled to the letters.
“We wish to clearly make it known to all well-meaning Nigerians that have variously appealed to us on these issues that our plan was not intended to inflict further pains on Nigerians but to ensure observance of minimum safety on our highways for the good of lives and properties.
“We are well aware of the impacts our actions usually have on the people, businesses and the nation at large. But we cannot continue to watch as things continue to degenerate in our industry.”
“In the light of the above, the union will not hesitate to re-commence the action without any notice, if the understanding reached in these two meetings is not fully implemented within the timeframe agreed. “With this, our petroleum tanker drivers are hereby directed to continue providing services for the efficient and effective distribution of petroleum products to homes and workplaces across the country.”
“Our solidarity remains constant for the union makes us strong.”
Earlier the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had appealed to them saying, in the interest and welfare of the Nigerian people they should call off the planned strike action.
The strike is about the condition of roads in various parts of Nigeria which are used for the distribution of goods and services including petroleum products.
However, even though it is not the responsibility of the NNPC to build or rehabilitate roads, any disruption in the distrubution of petroleum products to different parts of Nigeria will adversely affect the business of the NNPC and endanger energy security, which the country has enjoyed for a long time now.
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 roads network challenges as expressed by the PTD.
Having recognised that the major reason slowing down the rehabilitation of the road networks in the country is the paucity of funds, the NNPC has expressed interest to invest in the reconstruction of select Federal roads under the Federal Government’s Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Task Credit Scheme.
The thrust of the NNPC’s intervention is to make considerable funds available for the reconstruction of roads through it Future Tax Liability.
NNPC as a responsible corporate entity recognises the legitimate concerns of the PTD, we however appeal to the leadership and members to reconsider their decision in the overall national interest.