Lagos tanker drivers suspend strike

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its strike after reaching an agreement with the Lagos state government.

On Friday, the union had directed its members to withdraw their services in Lagos over “failure of the state government to address some of its grievances”.

In a statement on Monday, Williams Akporeha, NUPENG’s national president, said the union decided to suspend the strike after some of the issues were addressed in a closed-door meeting with the state government.

The communique issued at the end of the meeting was signed by Solomon Kilanko, NUPENG’s deputy national president, and Olalere Odubote, commissioner for energy and mineral resources.

Among the issues agreed on at the meeting was that the state government would meet with the heads of all security agencies and secure their commitment to ensure the free passage of petroleum products vehicles.

“The menace of area boys (touts) will be handled by relevant government agencies and a dedicated phone number will be established, within the next week, to ensure that petroleum products transporters have prompt access to security agencies,” the communique read.

“The issue of extra-ordinary levies on tankers drivers by a particular local government will be investigated and local government will immediately be advised to collect only levies that are legally due.

“It is understood by the parties that road works are a necessary path to progress; the state government will continue to relate with all road users in the planning and execution of road works in the state

“The downstream petroleum union has committed to ensuring that all tankers are loaded within the capacities provided for in the regulations and communicated by DPR.

“Lagos State will within the next one week review the restriction of timing of movement of the petroleum tankers and advise a resolution to ease their access to the tank farms. Union also notes that the ongoing road works are a temporary inhibitor of movement.

“Coordination: Lagos State Government will immediately set up a standing committee to relate with the union on an ongoing basis to address any issue as may arise.”