The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) on Monday appealed to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to intervene in the strike embarked upon by Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD).
Its Chairman in Lagos State, Alhaji Mohammed Musa, who made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that the state government should urgently address the union’s grievances.
NAN reports that the Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State, on Monday withdrew their services as directed by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
The drivers had embarked on indefinite strike over an alleged difficulties in loading products as well as alleged molestation and assault on drivers by security agents on Lagos roads.
The union said it took the strike option because of inability of the state government and Presidential Task Force on Decongestion of Apapa to address major issues causing drivers pains.
According to Musa, Lagos State Government should employ all measures and avenues to urgently stop the strike, because of people and businesses that rely on petroleum products.
“Our union will only advise and appeal to the Lagos State Government to urgently intervene in this strike by the petroleum tankers’ drivers and stop it.
“Let the state government look at the demands of the tankers’ drivers and address them so as not to put the citizens of the state and other states in another hardship.
“If the strike affects the supply of petrol and diesel, many people will suffer.
“I think we should not allow anything that can increase the sufferings of people who are already going through a lot of hardship,” he said.
Musa said that the strike would affect all other states as most tankers drivers were loading their petroleum products in Lagos depots.
