The decision of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to compel fuel stations in Rivers and Bayelsa states to shut down operations in ‘solidarity’ with members of the union presently on strike, is set to impose more hardship on residents of the states.

The body is protesting the action of four companies – Hilong Engineering Nigeria Limited, Uniterm Nigeria Limited, Specialist Drilling Fluid Nigeria Limited and Fudro Nigeria Limited – operating in Rivers and Bayelsa states and accused of restricting the rights of workers to participate in labour union activities.

According to the Punch, NUPENG’s acting zonal chairman for its Port Harcourt zone, Mr Charles Eleto, told journalists on Saturday that the union would not spare any filling station that failed to comply with the shutdown order as sanctions would be meted out on erring filling stations owners.

“The refinery has shut down, petroleum tanker drivers have shut down; the private depots have shut down, so, they (filling stations) should also join the strike by shutting down,” Eleto said.

He pleaded with governors of the two states and security agencies to prevail on the four companies to stop the victimisation of workers and recognise NUPENG as a union.

He said, “We gave two weeks ultimatum to the governors of Rivers and Bayelsa states and the Federal Ministry of Labour to call these companies to order but they have refused to do so.”

The labour leader added that, “If Nigerians are worried, they should call on the companies to abide by NUPENG’s policy because what these companies are doing is purely against any recognised labour law and we cannot tolerate it. That’s why we are picketing Rivers and Bayelsa states.’’

http://www.olisa.tv/2016/06/12/fuel-scarcity-nupeng-subjects-rivers-bayelsa-residents-to-hardship-over-labour-dispute/