Petrol stations in Port Harcourt reopen as NUPENG suspends strike

Some petrol stations in Port Harcourt City have resumed operations following the suspension of the strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers. A survey conducted around the Port Harcourt metropolis on Wednesday showed that many petrol stations were open for business. NUPENG directed its members to embark on a strike over alleged anti-labour practices by Dangote Refinery. The union had also accused the firm of planning to render its members jobless by hiring non-affiliated drivers. Some petrol station managers said that the reopening of their business outlets followed a directive from their union. At a major petrol station along Eleme Road, a manager, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the alleged issue of staff victimisation due to union membership should be given proper attention.
“We are believing that all the issues raised have been given the right attention. This will ensure stability and harmony,” the manager said. Billy Harry, the national president of the Petrol Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, issued a statement on Tuesday, urging members to suspend the strike. Mr Harry said that the decision to call off the strike followed intense negotiations between NUPENG and Dangote Refinery.
“Based on the resolutions reached during the negotiations, we have to give a fresh directive to our members to open for business,” he said. Ekene Kamsi, a commercial taxi driver, described the suspension of the strike as a welcome development. He said that the price of petrol increased unimaginably within 24 hours, saying, “We bought petrol at N1,800 per litre from roadside sellers. With the suspension of the strike, we are hopeful that normalcy will return. We cannot afford further difficulties; we already have too many issues to grapple with.” NAN