Due to the failure of the state government to address grievances, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed tanker drivers to suspend their services beginning from Monday.
Williams Akporeha, the National President of NUPENG, said in a statement that the appeal to Lagos and the Federal governments to decongest the Apapa Port has not been addressed.
“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,” statement partly read.
“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 12am, Monday, August 10, 2020 if there are no decisive and convincing actions from the Lagos State Government to address these concerns and challenges.”
Other challenges the union wants resolved include traffic gridlock, extortion by security agents and harassment by hoodlums, according to the Cable.
“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 talking 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.
“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. Every one of them should be content with their salaries and allowances rather than turning hapless Petroleum Tanker Drivers to money-making machines.
“Persistent traffic gridlock and indiscriminate parking of containerized trucks on major Lagos roads and bridges leading to Apapa port, Kirikiri, Beach land, Satellite Town, Ijegun, are another major setback bedeviling the smooth running of the operations of Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State.
“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 the 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,” Akporeha said.
The Union said it would embark on indefinite strike on Monday if there are no decisive and convincing actions from Lagos State Government to address it’s concerns and challenges.
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