Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) yesterday suspended their strike to allow for further dialogue with the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
At a meeting in Abuja, at the instance of the NNPC Group Managing Director; Mr. Maikanti Baru, the Federal Government also kick-started the process for a hike in the prices of petroleum products, with petrol likely to sell between N147 and N150 per litre.
Specifically, to satisfy the yearnings of the aggrieved tanker drivers for an increase in transporters’ margin, sources among the officials of the PTD and NUPENG confirmed that Baru promised to increase the Bridging Claims for the tanker drivers from the present N4 per litre, thereby setting machinery in motion for a possible hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The Bridging Claim is the amount paid to distributors of petroleum products across the country, and was introduced to ensure uniformity in the price of petroleum products across the country.
In May 2016, the Federal Government approved a price range of N135 and N145 for a litre of PMS. Today, all the petrol stations in the country are selling at the highest point of N145 per litre. Any further hike in the cost of the commodity would likely bring about a hike in the retail price of the product at the petrol stations.
Spokesperson for the NNPC; Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, who confirmed the suspension of the strike however refused to respond to enquiries of a likely increase in the price of fuel.
However, National President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese, said the strike action had to be suspended in the interest of the country and also to allow for further negotiations and discussions.
Meanwhile, loading activities at both private depots and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depots in Lagos were on Monday paralysed as Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) commenced a nationwide strike to press home their demands for enhanced welfare.
All tank farms in Apapa were empty, without the usual loading of products associated with depots.
The Apapa depots visited included Total Oil and Gas, Capital Oil and Gas, NIPCO Oil and Gas, Aiteo Oil and Gas, Sahara Oil and Gas, Conoil, as well as Mobil Oil and Gas.
The drivers were seen in groups discussing, while others were leaving the depots for unknown destinations.
Alhaji Taofeek Lawal, the Head, Corporate Communications of NIPCO, Apapa said that all depots in Apapa were empty as a result of the strike.
According to him, there are no loading activities at present because the tanker drivers are on strike.
He appealed to the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), PTD, NNPC representatives and other stakeholders to step in and find a lasting solution to the strike.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, the South-West Chairman of NUPENG had said that the Federal Government’s representatives were meeting with NARTO and NUPENG representatives, to resolve the matter.
Korodo said that the outcome of the meeting would decide if the strike would continue or not.
He, however, said that there was no distribution or loading of products in any part of the country.
One of the depot officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, however noted that the strike was uncalled for.
He said that the tanker drivers should have resolved the problem with the truck owners, instead of resorting to go on strike.
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