NUPENG, petrol tanker drivers debunk nationwide strike

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have dismissed reports of plans to embark on a nationwide strike.

The NUPENG General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, in a statement on Monday, said there was no plan by the petroleum tanker drivers to protest over leadership tussle.

Afolabi noted that there was no division in the union as speculated by some individuals, adding that the report was false, unfounded, and should be disregarded.

The NUPENG official said the motive of those behind the speculation was to create panic in the public space and cause artificial scarcity of petrol.

Afolabi tasked security agencies to fish out those behind the reports which he said was capable of creating social upheaval and security concerns.

He stated that the statement was to avert any form of panic and to enjoin Nigerians to ignore the false and misleading report.

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The NUPENG General Secretary assured that all petroleum tanker drivers were fully committed to national services for effective and efficient distribution of petroleum products across the country.

“We earnestly call on security agencies to urgently fish out the writer of this very misleading and panic-creating news item.

“Make them face the full wrath of the law if they cannot prove the source and authority of the fake news which is very capable of creating social upheaval,” Afolabi stated.

The PTD branch of NUPENG National Chairman, Augustine Egbon, also said the report was being spread to create panic in the supply chain of petroleum products distribution in the country.

The chairman maintained that there was no division within the union’s rank, saying there was no need for protest.

Egbon stated: “The PTD-NUPENG wishes to alert the general public of the antics of some desperate and mischievous individuals to cause unfounded and dangerous panic in the supply chain of petroleum products distribution in the country.

“Petroleum tanker drivers are not embarking on any form of protest.

“We are determined to continue our services to the nation and wholeheartedly support the efforts of the government of President Bola Tinubu to put our economy on the right track for the good of all.”

The Star