The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers on Sunday announced the suspension of the intended withdrawal of the services of Petroleum Tanker Drivers earlier scheduled to commence midnight of Sunday, October 10.
It was, however, observed that queues by motorists surfaced in various parts of Abuja on Sunday as hundreds of petrol seekers besieged fillings stations in a bid to purchase the commodity ahead of the planned strike action.
NUPENG said the suspension of the planned strike was due to the understanding reached with the union by the management of NNPC at a meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State on Sunday.
It said the suspension was also due to the expected outcome of the follow-up meeting between the union and NNPC scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 12, October 2021 in Abuja as contained in a communique.
NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, stated that the suspension of the planned industrial action was predicated on the union’s belief that the understanding reached with the government would 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 planned industrial action 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,” he told our correspondent.
The union said it was well aware of the impacts its actions usually had on the people, businesses and the nation at large but it could not continue to watch as things continue to degenerate in the industry.
The union further stated that it would not hesitate to recommence the action without any notice if the understanding reached in these two meetings were not fully implemented within the timeframe agreed.
