The federal government has resolved to meet with the two striking oil workers unions on Tuesday in Abuja, to fashion out ways of resolving the impasse.
Even as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) assured that the three-day strike embarked upon by oil workers will not affect distribution and sale of fuel to members of the public.
The two unions, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), embarked on a three-day strike to press home demands for the reinstatement of some sacked workers.
A statement by PENGASSAN’s media officer, Mr. Babatunde Oke, issued in Abuja on Monday, said a meeting between it and the Ministry of Labour and Productivity has been fixed for Tuesday.
According to the statement, “The Federal Government has invited the two unions for a meeting in Abuja where the affected stakeholders will be in attendance tomorrow Tuesday by 11a.m.
“The meeting is at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources,” PEGASSAN added.
Noting that there was total compliance with the strike in some of the oil installations in the country, adding that there was no loading in Lagos as most of the depots were shut and all offices closed and that where some staffers were seen, there was no work.
“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 depots owned by Mobil and Oando, there was total compliance.
“But there was skeletal work by NUPENG members at Total Depot; it was later stopped in the course of the day,” it said.
In Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, there were total compliance in all oil and gas locations, including the upstream and midstream as the loading bays were shut,” it stated.
In Kaduna and Abuja, there was total compliance of PENGASSAN members, stating further that the gate of Kaduna Refinery was shut and no entrance was allowed into the premises and there was no loading also.
“Earlier in the morning, the NNPC towers were 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 are fully mobilised for the strike, while few members of NUPENG are working at some of the agencies,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that the three-day strike embarked upon by oil workers will not affect distribution and sale of fuel to members of the public.
In a statement issued by the Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Ohi Alegbe, on Monday in Abuja, NNPC said its management held a discussion with the leadership of the unions who gave the assurance that they would not disrupt the fuel supply and distribution system.
It added that the action was basically aimed at addressing the anti-labour issues by some of the International Oil Companies (IOCs).
The statement said the NNPC had revealed that it had over 32 days stock of petroleum products available for supply across the nation during the Yuletide season and beyond.
The corporation also stated that 17 additional petroleum laden vessels were at the Lagos Port waiting to discharge to the various depots for onward distribution to members of the public.
It further assured the public that everything was being done to ensure that there was no hitch in the supply system that could cause any form of hardship to motorists, especially those who intended to travel during the period.
The statement called on the public to avoid panic buying or stock piling of fuel, to avoid needless queues or fire that could lead to loss of lives and property.
It also advised marketers to desist from hoarding or diversion of petroleum products as any marketer caught in the act would be sanctioned.
