Transporters, traders plan 3-day warning strike over fuel scarcity, N400 per litre petrol price, threaten to occupy NNPC hqtrs
Oredola Adeola
Transport operators and traders have revealed the plan to commence a 3-day civil warning strike aimed at forcing the Nigerian Government to address the ongoing fuel scarcity across the country, and hike in the price of petrol, threatening to occupy the headquarters of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Abuja, if nothing is done to address the fuel crisis.
This was contained in a communique signed by Boniface Ikedi, Basil Ekanem and four others on behalf of the Commercial Motorcycles Association of Nigeria, (COMAN), Tricycles Owners Association of Nigeria (TOWAN), National Association of Traders of Nigeria, (NASTAN), Luxurious Bus Operators Union (LUBOU), Market Women Association of Nigeria (MAWAN) and Trailer Drivers Association of Nigeria, TADAN.
The groups in the communique, expressed dissatisfaction with the hike in petrol price and its attendant impact on their operations and the economy, adding that they have got to a tipping point and can no longer cope with hardship.
They said, “That a three-day warning of civil strike action be issued to the Federal Government to quickly fix anomalies in the oil and gas sector leading to hardship across the country.
“The association has issued a red alert to its numerous members across the six geopolitical zones to occupy the Nigeria National Petroleum Limited, NNPCL headquarters located in the Central Business District, Abuja.”
“It’s also inconceivable that fuel is sold at licensed and government recognised filling stations for N350/litre to N400/ litre across the six geopolitical zones, which has forced majority of the members to abandon their buses, motorcycles and the rest.”
The groups further charged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the NNPCL’s boss, Mele Abba Kyari and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva from office as solution to the fuel confusion in the country.
They warned that should the Federal Government fail to address their concerns within the period proposed, their members would have no choice than to occupy the NNPCL’s headquarter in Abuja, until such a time that fuel is restored at filling stations across the country.
They threatened the withdraw all members of the transport union engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for the transportation and distribution of election materials.
The statement said, “That the association will shut down any fuel retail outlet seen serving government vehicles, including INEC official cars having heard that discussion between the management of NNPL and INEC was ongoing for special fuel and gas dispenses to INEC engaged vehicles for the election beginning from February 25.
