Normalcy returns to depots as tanker drivers suspend strike

Normalcy returned to petrol depots in Lagos on Tuesday as Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) suspended their strike which started on April 2.

It was reported that the suspension of the strike followed the intervention of the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru.

A statement on Monday by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the NNPC Group General Manager (Public Affairs), Baru was quoted as saying that his intervention was in the national interest.

Mr Tokunbo Korodo, the South-West Chairman of NUPENG, told our reporter that the strike was suspended to allow for dialogue between the leadership of PTD and Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

Korodo said that with the increase in bridging costs from N6.20 to N7.20 by the NNPC, mediation between NARTO and PTD leadership had just begun.

He said that the welfare package of the drivers would be decided during the ongoing meeting in Abuja.

Korodo commended the management of NNPC for quick intervention in the strike.

Our reporter who monitored depots in Apapa, observed that petroleum trucks had started loading.

More than 250 tankers were on queue causing traffic gridlock from Apapa Marine Bridge to Ijora Causeway to Mile 2 Oshodi Apapa Expressway.

Mr Muraina Aremu, a tanker driver with Total who was on queue, commended NNPC for intervening in the crisis.

Aremu said that the strike would have caused scarcity of petroleum products across the country.

He expressed optimism that the queue would soon reduce because loading of petroleum products had started in all the depots.