In compliance with the directive of its umbrella union, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State have withdrawn their services beginning from today, Aug. 10.
Lagos State NUPENG chairman, Mr Tayo Aboyeji confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
He said the strike action was the consequence of a breakdown in negotiation between the state government and the union.
“Although, we met with the state government yesterday night (Aug. 9), yet we could not reach an agreement. So, only the tanker drivers in Lagos State proceeded with the strike, because the environment is not conducive for tankers to operate,’’ he said.
NUPENG’s National President, Mr Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Mr Olawale Afolabi had in a joint statement said the directive became necessary due to failure of various authorities in the state to address some pending issues.
The issues include extortion of money from the drivers by various security agents; the menace of containerised trucks at Apapa, Kirikiri and Beach Land axis areas of the state.
Others are harassment and extortion by area boys as well as area god-fathers as part of the challenges.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Lagos State government and the leaders of the union are currently meeting at Alausa in a last-minute effort to resolve the lingering issues surrounding the strike.
The state’s commissioner for transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka is optimistic that the issues would be resolved.
