Lagos state petroleum tanker drivers suspend strike

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG has suspended its strike in Lagos State. 

This was contained in a joint communique issued by the Lagos State Government and NUPENG on Monday, August 10. The union in a statement released last week announced plans to go on the strike beginning from today. The union listed its challenges to include extortion by security agents, traffic gridlocks hindering the drivers’ movements as well as harassment by hoodlums across the state.

However, in a statement released today August 10, the association in a communique that was jointly signed by the Lagos Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources, Olalere Odusote, and NUPENG Deputy National President, Solomon Kilanko, announced the suspension of the strike after both parties had a meeting.

Part of the communique reads

“The Lagos State Government met today with the representatives of NUPENG, which agreed to call off its strike immediately.

“Other decisions taken at the meeting are security – the state government will meet the heads of all security agencies and secure their commitment to ensure the free passage of petroleum products vehicles given their importance to the economy.

Area boys – the menace of area boys will be handled by relevant government agencies and a dedicated phone number will be established, within next week to ensure the petroleum products transporters have prompt access to security agencies.

Lagos State Government will immediately set up a standing Committee to relate with the Union on an ongoing basis to address any issue as they arise.”