Fuel Scarcity Imminent As Tanker Drivers Suspend Services Monday

The National Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has directed petroleum tanker drivers to withdraw their services from Lagos State.

The union in a statement signed by the National President, Williams Akporeha, and the General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, said the directive will take effect from Monday, August 10, 2020.

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According to NUPENG the directive followed the failure of various authorities in the state to address three major issues that had severely caused petroleum tanker drivers pains in the state for several months .

The union said its members are deeply pained, frustrated and agonised by the barrage of these challenges being consistently faced by petroleum tanker drivers in Lagos State.

This, it stated, had left then with no other option but to direct the withdrawal of services of tanker drivers.

The statement added, “The entire rank and file members of the union are deeply pained, frustrated and agonised by the barrage of 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 the Lagos State Government and other relevant stakeholders address these critical challenges.

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“It is sad and disheartening to note here that we had made several appeals and reports to the Lagos State Government and the Presidential Task Force for the decongestion of Apapa on these challenges but all to no avail.”

NUPENG said it has resolved to embark on an indefinite strike beginning from 12 am, Monday, August 10, 2020, if there are no convincing actions from the Lagos State Government to address the concerns and challenges.

Some of the issues causing dissatisfaction between the state and NUPENG are extortion by security agencies; menace of Containerized Trucks at Apapa, Kirikiri and Beach Land axis of Lagos State and harassment as well extortion by Area Boys and Area god-fathers.

On the issue of extortion of money from Petroleum Tanker Drivers by various security agents, the statement reads, “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.

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“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 contented with their salaries and allowances rather than turning hapless Petroleum Tanker Drivers to money making machine.

Providing more insights on the menace of Containerized Trucks at Apapa, Kirikiri and Beach Land axis of Lagos State, the Union said that these have become another major setbacks bedeviling the smooth running of the operations of Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State.

It added, “As at today, MRS depot has 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.

“This is a situation that appears to have defied solution, considering government’s non intervention, lack of sensitivity over the years and collusion by those called upon by the Presidency to proffer solutions to the problem.

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“From Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, Ojuelegba Bridge, Iponri, Constain roads, the situation is the same.

“For several months now, the Mile 2-Apapa Expressway (formerly Malu Road, now Mobil Road) have been witnessing a terrible traffic gridlock leaving Petroleum Tanker Drivers stranded and helpless.”

On the area of harrassment and extortion by Area Boys and Area god-fathers, the Union stated that it was really worrisome that Lagos State which is known to be a mega city and centre of excellence has now become a safe haven for area boys and area god-fathers who now see Petroleum Tanker Drivers as soft targets, extorting money and assaulting them.

The statement added, “Petroleum Tanker Drivers now battle with both Area Boys and Area God-fathers amidst deplorable state of the roads in Lagos State, and this is really causing PTD lots of havoc on a daily basis.

“A distance of just about ten kilometres for example, now takes seven to eight hours of manoeuvres and meandering by petrol tankers, many of which break down in the process, upturning their contents, killing PTD members and endangering the lives of several other Nigerians who traverse the roads.

“Without sounding immodest, further delay in their repairs portends greater danger to the citizenry.

“Tanker Drivers whose activities cut across Oguntedo, old Ojo road, Ijegun-Egba, Abule Ado and its environs in Satellite town, Oriade Local government Area, and Apapa corridor of Lagos state have continued to work in fears, following incessant attacks by members of various notorious groups who have developed penchant for extorting money forcefully from Tanker Drivers.”

It said the hoodlums are known to be operating unchallenged and freely around Apapa, Kirikiri, Mile 2, Maza-Maza and Abule-Ado, near Trade Fair flank among others

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