By Francis Ogwo
There is an imminent scarcity of petroleum products in Lagos as the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has instructed its members to cease operations in Lagos from Monday, August 10, 2020.
This directive was made public in a press statement on Friday in response to the failure of government to tackle the various issues raised by the tanker drivers some months ago.
According to the statement, the entire ranking of the union are deeply pained and frustrated by the various obstacles to the smooth delivery of their services in Lagos State.
They stressed that the development has led them to taking the decision of withdrawing their services in Lagos State until when the government looks into their plight and issues raised.
The statement from NUPENG reads, “The National Leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed the withdrawal of services of Petroleum Tanker Drivers from Lagos State with effect from Monday, 10th August 2020 following the failure of various authorities in the State to address three major issues that have severely caused pains and harrowing experiences on the hapless Petroleum Tanker Drivers in the State for several months now.
“The entire rank and file members of the Union are deeply pained, frustrated and agonized 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 Lagos State Government and other relevant Stakeholders address these critical challenges.”
Stating further, the union lamented the continuous failure of the Lagos State Government and the Presidential Task Force to decongest Apapa despite series of appeals without results while stating that they would not condone any further subjection of their members to further extortion, intimidation, victimization and other forms of harassments currently faced in Lagos in the line of duty.
