Petroleum tanker drivers will from Monday withdraw their services in Lagos State, the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has ordered.
The Union gave the directive in a communique on Friday, saying the action has become necessary following failure of the Federal Government and Lagos State Government to address three major issues causing tanker drivers pains in for months.
The statement, titled “NUPENG leadership directs withdrawal of services by petroleum tanker drivers in Lagos State with effect from Monday, August 10, 2020”, was signed by National President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi.
It read in parts: ”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 the Lagos State Government and other relevant stakeholders address these critical challenges.
“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.
“We resolved to embark on an indefinite strike beginning from 12 am, Monday, August 10, 2020, if there are no decisive and convincing actions from the Lagos State Government to address these concerns and challenges.”
The statement listed the three main issues as extortion of money from tanker drivers by security agents, menace of containerized trucks at Apapa, Kirikiri and Beach Land axis, and extortion by Area boys and Area god-fathers.