The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (PTD-NUPENG) has threatened another strike over what they described as illegal activities and high-handedness of security agents, particularly the Military Task Force operating in the Port Harcourt zone of the Union. This may lead to a full-fledged fuel scarcity across the country.
National Chairman of the PTD- NUPENG, Comrade Lucky Osesua told newsmen yesterday, in Abuja, that men of the Military Task Force operating in Port Harcourt burnt two trucks conveying HPFO, otherwise known as black oil on Tuesday night as the truck drivers were falsely accused of transporting crude oil.
According to the PTD-NUPENG National Chairman, the trucks which lifted the black oil at a modular refinery, Walter Smith Refinery and Petrochemical Ibigwe, Imo State, on Monday and Tuesday, were intercepted between Ahoada and Elele, in Rivers State.
Comrade Osesua further disclosed that they were conveying 40,000 liters each of the Black Oil to Bob & Sea Depot Koko Delta State. He told newsmen that the drivers of the two trucks were polite in their responses and presented all the necessary documents to officers of the military who ignored the documents, rebuffed appeals and burnt the trucks.
The PTD-NUPENG National Chairman, who also presented to newsmen documents signed by the Refinery Manager of the Walter Smith Refinery and Petrochemical, where the products were loaded, said the Union has taken a decision to stop lifting products at its Port Harcourt zone.
He said the same decision to stop loading nationwide would be taken by Monday, except damages incurred as a result of the high-handedness of the Military Task Force were addressed.
Comrade Osesua further hinted that in a desperate move to clean up their actions, the soldiers mobilised those who pick scraps to the sight of the burnt trucks.
