Barely 24 hours after the members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) declared a nationwide strike, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday dismissed mounting insinuation of possible scarcity of petroleum products as a result of the strike.
Group general manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Dr Kennie Obateru, quoted Mallam Mele Kyari as saying, in a release, that the industrial action embarked upon by PENGASSAN would not lead to scarcity of petroleum products as all fuel stations and petrol depots in the country have enough stock of products to service consumers and are open for business.
While expressing hope that the industrial dispute would be settled amicably, Kyari assured that the Corporation has thus far emplaced a stock of over 2.9 billion litres of petrol to guarantee seamless movement of people, goods and services across the country in the forthcoming Christmas season and beyond.
The NNPC GMD reiterated that the Corporation is determined to make the 2020 end-of-year festivities a zero fuel queue period just like the preceding year, noting that critical stockholders in the petroleum products supply and distribution chain such as tanker drivers, depot owners and road transport owners have been mobilised to ensure hitch-free season.
PENGASSAN and NUPENG) midnight on Sunday declared nationwide strike following the expiration of a 7-day ultimatum they earlier served the federal government to either accede to their demands or risk their members downing tools.
LEADERSHIP learnt that the strike was pursuant to the oil workers’ lingering disagreement with the federal government over the directive on the registration of some of its members on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Although discussions over the issues have been going on for some time, the oil workers have accused the government of not making concrete moves to settle the differences.
PENGASSAN spokesperson, Mr Jerry Amah, who confirmed the development to LEADERSHIP said, the strike has already started at the expiration of the ultimatum.
It would be recalled that PENGASSAN and NUPENG had on 2 November 2020 issued 7-day ultimatum to federal government to address the issue on IPPIS or face the anger of the unions.
In the 7-day ultimatum notice, the duo pledged to withdraw their services which will mean a total shutdown of oil and gas facilities and distribution of petroleum products in the entire county should government fail to address their concerns.