Normalcy started returning to the fuel supply chain in Lagos and environs yesterday, following suspension of the 5-day-old strike by members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which caused acute scarcity of products and apprehension among the citizenry.
Vanguard gathered that suspension of the industrial action was made possible by the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which brokered peace following a directive from the Presidency that
the issue be resolved immediately.

As early as 1 pm yesterday, before this report, PTD members had resumed lifting of products which was suspended last Friday, April 17, as a result of a violent clash between officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and members of PTD.

Vanguard can also reveal that about N4.6 million was paid to Lagos State Government by NNPC instead of N7.5 million earlier demanded for the release of the 27 trucks.

A statement released by Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Department of the NNPC confirmed Vanguard’s information that the corporation acted on the initiative of President Yar’Adua.

In the statement, petroleum corporation said: “The NNPC management has waded in to resolve the face-off between the Lagos State Government and tanker drivers which has resulted in near total paralysis of economic activities within the metropolis and environs owing to the strike action embarked upon by the latter.

“Earlier today (yesterday), the NNPC paid the penalty imposed on the 27 trucks impounded by the Lagos State Government. Management of the Corporation was compelled more by the impact of the strike action on Nigerians rather than the activism of the tanker drivers.

“We therefore urge the tanker drivers to conduct their affairs within the ambit of the laws of the land without undue recourse to activism.

“Given the challenges of administering a mega-polis, we also commend the Lagos State Government for its efforts at maintaining some measure of sanity on the roads, as well as its predisposition to having this matter resolved quickly,” the NNPC statement said.

Accepting the cheque on behalf of the state government, Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa said “the Lagos State Government remains committed towards and will do everything humanly possible at making life meaningful for our people. In that spirit, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will accept the payment of the fines with respect to Tanker trucks impounded at Toyota area of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway which is in compliance with the Road Traffic Laws and in consonance with the Rule of Law.

“Although seven (7) of our personnel remain injured and two (2) of our operational patrol vehicles remain damaged, we will not press charges nor seek redress, compensation or restitution in order not to prolong the avoidable discomfort to the general law abiding public.”

Cause of strike

In the clash with LASTMA officials, some of the PTD members were alleged to have sustained injuries, while 27 trucks belonging to PTD were said to have been confiscated by the LASTMA officials at Toyota Bus stop, along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and around Folawiyo Tank farm, Apapa for traffic offences.

To protest the seizure, the truck drivers declared an indefinite strike and vowed not to lift products until the state government released the impounded trucks unconditionally, while the state on its part demanded payment of N150,000.00 fine per truck.

Contrary to reports in a section of the media that there was going to be a meeting between officials of the Lagos State government and leaders of NUPENG/PTD, Vanguard can reveal that there was no meeting, but the issue was resolved through phone conversations.

NUPENG confirms strike call-off

Conforming the suspension of the industrial action, Lagos Zonal Secretary of NUPENG, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo told Vanguard yesterday that the matter had been resolved and that members of the PTD had begun lifting of products immediately.

Comrade Korodo who assured that members were prepared to work for 24 hours to ensure that normalcy returned by today to prevent further hardship by Nigerians, however said the drivers did not pay anything for the trucks to be released, insisting that PTD members had no money to pay.

“Well, I am happy to tell you that the action has been suspended. Our members have started loading fuel from all depots that have products. This was made possible by the peace brokered by the NNPC and Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC). As I talk to you, those seized trucks are being released and our members are also loading simultaneously. We are prepared to work 24 hours to ensure that Nigerians do not continue to suffer unnecessarily.

“What is important now is that the issue has been resolved and normalcy will return from tomorrow (today). Again, let me make it categorically clear that there was no meeting between us and officials of the Lagos state government. All the talking and discussions were done on phone,” he said.

Loading resumes

Meanwhile, Vanguard’s visit to oil depots and terminals shut while the strike lasted have resumed operations and commenced loading of oil tankers for supply and distribution.

At Nipco, one of the major loading depots in Lagos, operations have commenced in earnest as all the petrol tankers that were initially scattered around the area could be seen queuing up properly to load products.

The company’s public relations manager, Mr. Abiodun Lawal who spoke with our correspondent on phone confirmed that loading of all the available petroleum products has commenced and that the company is complying with a government directive that there should be a 24-hour round-the-clock loading. This, he said, is aimed at meeting the shortage of supply nationwide which was occasioned by the strike.