NUPENG bemoans fuel scarcity, absolves self of culpability, urges FG to act
Wants "unscrupulous", "wicked" elements arrested
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The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has raised concerns and worries over the pain Nigerians are going through to get Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) for their daily businesses, movements, and wellbeing, describing the situation as “very appalling and shameful”.
This was contained in a press statement dated 27th January, 2023, and signed by Comrade William Akporeha and Comrade Afolabi Olawale, President and General Secretary respectively.
NUPENG also absolved itself of culpability, pledging to demonstrate its commitment to service.
It said that all members in the supply chains of petroleum products distribution from depots workers, petroleum tanker drivers and petrol stations workers have been placed on red alert to serve.
It noted that they have been readily available and dutifully carrying out the task even at the risk of their lives due to the prevailing security challenges in the country.
Lamenting the daunting security challenge facing its workers, NUPENG said:
“At the moment of this press release, seven (7) of our members who are tanker drivers moving product from A.Y Shafa and some other deports from south-south to the northern part of the country are hiding in the bushes of highway along Benin-Auchi-lokoja roads due to attacks by bandits and hoodlums.
“Leadership had however reached out to law enforcement Agents for rescue and protection.
“But more worrisome and biggest obstacle to the usual effective and patriotic services is the depressing and frustrating antics of some unscrupulous Marketers who are busy using this seemingly initial break in logistics from offshore vessels to exploit and extort the hapless public through racketeering and hoarding of the product.
“Things are really getting out of control, and we urgently call on all concerned authorities to quickly stem this ugly trend,” it added.
The Union further condemned in the strongest terms what it termed “brutal exploitation of the masses by these Shylock Marketers”.
It resolved to sanction any Marketer who is indulging in the “unwholesome and disgusting practices” of racketeering and hoarding of petroleum products.
It warned that any Marketer selling above the approved ex-depot prices will face the wrath of the Union, while urging its members in the distribution chain to remain steadfast and dedicated in their service.
NUPENG, meanwhile, commended the decent and patriotic Marketers who are willing and ready to do business in ways and manners that will not exploit and inflict pain on the public.
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It called on those Marketers not to be discouraged or relent but to keep cooperating with the Union and other patriotic Stakeholders to help stem this ugly trend.
The Petroleum Union Workers urged the federal government to be sincere and make the product available in large quantities to consumers and “not give room for these unscrupulous elements to be holding our nation to ransom”.
About NUPENG
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers is one of the 46 industrial unions formerly affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
NUPENG was formally registered as a Trade Union on 15th August, 1978 but held its inaugural conference On 2nd November 1977 at the cultural center Benin City, Edo State. NUPENG is currently affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The Union is an affiliate of Industri-All Global Union. Industri-All Global Union Headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland. NUPENG president is currently the chairperson of Industri-All Global Union Nigeria chapter.
The Union is divided into four zones for easy administration and operations namely Lagos Zone, Warri Zone, Port Harcourt Zone and Kaduna Zone with Zonal offices.
There are sub-zonal offices at Eket, in Akwa Ibom State, Ibadan in Oyo State and a Liaison office at Abuja. Read more.
