Petrol scarcity looms as NUPENG mobilizes for labour unions’ strike
By Naomisophyblog
The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) has directed its members, including the influential Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), to prepare for an indefinite strike in compliance with the Nigerian Labor Unions’ directive.
This strike could disrupt the distribution of petrol and diesel across Nigeria, causing a crisis in the sector and impacting the economy.
NUPENG’s strike notice, signed by its president, Williams Akhoreha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, highlights the government’s insensitivity to the hardships faced by Nigerians due to economic policies, including the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had earlier announced their plans for an indefinite strike on October 3.
NUPENG expressed concern over the government’s lack of respect for organized labor and the suffering of the Nigerian masses. They view the strike as a last resort to demand socio-economic policies that alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by Nigerians.
The strike is expected to impact businesses and the socio-economic lives of the nation. NUPENG has called on all its members.
These include petrol station workers, petroleum tanker drivers, liquefied petroleum gas retailers, and others in the petroleum product distribution chain, to comply with the strike directive starting at midnight on October 3, 2023.
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy on May 29 had already caused hardship for many Nigerians, leading to protests by the NLC and TUC.
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A warning strike took place on September 5 and 6, and now the labor unions are preparing for an indefinite strike to address the rising cost of living due to government policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy.
