Lagos and its Environs to Experience Fuel Scarcity

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG has directed its members made up of Tanker Drivers, known as Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD in its Lagos Zone, to shut the distribution of fuel on its environs over the takeover of access roads to tank farms and fuel depots by containerized trucks, amongst other reasons for the embarkment of their proposed strike. The deplorable state of roads and massive extortions of tanker drivers by security operatives in Lagos and its environs. In a statement by NUPENG President and Gen Secretary, Prince Williams Akporcha and Olawale who respectively lamented the Government’s inability to address the three constraints raised by their members and this has continued to cause harrowing experiences and pains to tanker drivers in Lagos and its environs on monthly basis for sometimes now. NUPENG in their statement said they cannot afford to fold their arms while their members are being consistently and continually extorted, intimidated, harassed, and victimized by different groups and segments in Lagos, hence they highlight for the general public the following three major challenges Petroleum Tanker Drivers are facing in Lagos State : “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 taking 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 into 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 other major setbacks bedeviling the smooth running of the operations of Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State. As of today, MRS Depot has been held captive for more than 3 months from discharging products to Petroleum Tanker Drivers despite the heavy availability of Petroleum products stockpiled in their tank farm facilities. “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. Read Also Reasons for the Increase in Hate Speech Fine It is expected that the Federal and the Lagos State act upon the demands of NUPENG before it gets out of hand considering the economic constraints and untold hardships this proposed strike can cause in the midst of a ravaging pandemic on the citizens.