NNPC says oil workers' strike won't affect fuel supply

The three-day warning strike action embarked upon by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, will not disrupt distribution of petroleum products to members of the public, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has assured.

This assurance was at the backdrop of long queue of vehicles that resurfaced at the most filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and its environs, Monday morning, on account of the strike announced by the union bodies.

The corporation in a statement issued by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, advised fuel consumers 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 NNPC 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 also advised marketers to desist from hoarding or diversion of petroleum products as any marketer caught in the act would be sanctioned.”