The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has called off its proposed strike before the November 6 ultimatum following the Lagos State government intervention.
The NUPENG chairman in Lagos, Tayo Aboyeji told the News Agency of Nigeria, on Tuesday, that the intervention of the state government was instrumental in calling off the planned strike by the union.
Aboyeji said the state government had ordered the concerned community youths under the umbrella of Indigenous Unity Forum, to desist from disturbing tanker drivers operating on Lekki Free Trade Zone Road, in Eleko Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.
NUPENG had on October 31 had threatened to withdraw the services of its members in the Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State due to harassment and threats to their lives by some hoodlums operating on the road.
In a letter to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the union had explained that efforts to resist the hoodlums had been met with stiff resistance and seeming ‘higher powers’.
“For now, we are still watching the activities in that area and we hope the state government will put an end to the harassment.
“Our ultimatum to embark on strike from Nov. 6 midnight has expired due to the intervention of the state government,” he said.
Aboyeji alleged that the criminal tendencies of the group extended as far as impersonating, and forging NUPENG/PTD official emblem and identity cards.
“The group extorts money from members, assaults and threatens anyone that questions or resists them or the source of their authority to perpetrate these criminal and illegal activities along the Lekki Free Trade Zone Road, Eleko Ibeju-Lekki.
“The union has written to several authorities including security agencies, but this group appears to be operating above the laws of the state and the country,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the state government to resolve the issue and restore sanity to the route so as to protect the lives and property of its members.
