By Yemisi Izuora-Lagos
The Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured that the three-day strike action embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
(NUPENG) will not dislocate the robust distribution and sale of fuel to members of the public.
The Corporation, in a statement on yesterday, noted that it was in talks
with the leadership of the unions who gave the assurance that they would not disrupt the fuel supply and distribution system as the strike was basically aimed at addressing the anti-labour issues by some of the International Oil Companies (IOCs).
The Corporation and its downstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) also revealed that it has over 32 days stock
of petroleum products available for supply across the nation during the
Yuletide season and beyond.
The Corporation also disclosed 17 additional petroleum laden vessels are at the Lagos Port waiting to discharge to the various depots for onward distribution to members of the
public.
It further assured that everything was being done to ensure that there was no hitch whatsoever in the supply system that could bring any form of
hardship to motorists and those who intend to travel during the period.
The Corporation called on members of
the public to avoid panic buying or stock piling of petroleum products as that could lead to needless queues or cause fire accidents that could lead to loss of lives and property.
The Corporation also advised marketers to desist from hoarding or diversion of petroleum products as any marketer caught in the act would be
sanctioned.
Meanwhile Oil union workers claims that there is total compliance in some of the oil installations in the country, as the strike continues tomorrow Tuesday.
In Lagos, most depots were shut and there was no loading from key petroleum depots.
At Ejigbo Depot, some tankers that loaded earlier in the day were restricted but later allowed to move out of the depot because of the danger attached.
At Apapa depot and those owned by Mobil and Oando, there is total compliance, while there was skeletal work by NUPENG members at Total depot which was later stopped in the course of the day.
All offices were closed and where some staff were seen there was no work.
In Warri, there was no loading but NUPENG members were seen wearing red to signify their protest.
In Port Harcourt, there was total compliance in all oil and gas locations, including the upstream and midstream as the loading bays were shut.
In Kaduna and Abuja, there was total compliance on the part of PENGASSAN members. In Kaduna, the gate of the Kaduna Refinery was shut and no entrance was allowed into the premises and there was no loading also in Kaduna.
Earlier in the morning, the NNPC towers was opened for business and workers were at their desks but they were later called to stop work at about 11.45 a.m.
Members of PENGASSAN fully mobilised for the strike while few members of NUPENG were seen working at some of the agencies.
The Federal Government has invited the two unions for a meeting in Abuja where affected stakeholders will be in attendance tomorrow Tuesday by 11am.
