The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) association said it has suspended the intended withdrawal of the services earlier scheduled to commence at midnight, Sunday, October 10, 2021.
The strike, a protest over the condition of roads in various parts of Nigeria they navigate to distribute goods and services.
The communique issued by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) jointly co-signed by the union’s president and general secretary, Comrade William Akporeha and Comrade Afolabi Olawale, respectively, said the call-off followed an understanding reached with the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday, and the expected outcome of the follow-up meeting scheduled to hold on Tuesday, October 12, in Abuja.
“The suspension of our planned action is predicated on our belief that the understanding reached with the government today and during the meeting of Tuesday, October 12, 2021, will be fulfilled to the letter.
“We wish to let all well-meaning Nigerians that have variously appealed to us on these issues that our plan was not intended to inflict further pains on Nigerians but to ensure observance of minimum safety on our highways, for the good of lives and properties.
“We are aware of the impact our actions usually have on the people, businesses and the nation but we cannot continue to watch as things continue to degenerate in our industry.
“In the light of the above, the union will not hesitate to re-commence the action without any notice if the understanding reached in these meetings are not fully implemented within the time-frame agreed.
“With this, our petroleum tanker drivers are hereby directed to continue providing services for the efficient and effective distribution of petroleum products to homes and workplaces across the country.
“Our ssolidarity remains constant, for the union makes us strong,” the statement said.
In a related development, the NNPC said the planned strike action was called off after intensive engagement involving the leadership of the PTD, NNPC officials and other government agencies.
A statement by NNPC’s group general manager, group public affairs division, Garba Muhammad, said the corporation’s management appreciated the maturity and patriotism of the leadership of the PTD, reiterating its resolve to actively participate in finding a quick and effective solution to the concerns raised by the PTD.
