The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has accused the leadership of the parent body of sabotaging the strike declared by organized labour over minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariff.
One of the elders of the PTD Branch in Port Harcourt Zone, Comrade (Elder) Collins Ohakwu (JP) said the General Secretary of NUPENG, Afolabi Olawale’s directives on Saturday, June 1, 2024 to all the branches of NUPENG to comply with the industrial action on Monday was a lip-service meant to cajole the leadership of the organized labour.
He also frowned at NUPENG’s leadership for coercing PTD members to attend emergency meetings across the zones of the country despite the widely circulated strike notice.
According to a statement credited to the 75 years old Comrade Ohakwu, he said;
“From all indications NUPENG is not properly manangig the NLC/TUC strike in the country and it is obvious the union has an ulterior motive that is typically considered sneaky and self-serving. The General Secretary on Saturday served all the branches of the union a notice of strike which was initiated by the organised labour, only to see that on Monday, June 3, 2024 across the country, Tanker Drivers are still loading at various depots, Petrol Station Workers (PSW) are also selling petroleum products at filling stations. There are video and picture evidence to prove this, which are currently circulating on the social and mainstream media.
“We are also worried that despite the notice of strike, the General Secretary is still compelling members of the union to attend emergency meeting and according to him “attendance is mandatory” for all Zonal Executives of PTD NUPENG in all the four (4) Zones in the country, and same applies to all Unit Chairmen, Treasurers, Secretaries and Trustees in PTD. We therefore wonder how the strike will be effective when those who will enforce compliance have been coerced by the National Secretariat to be holding meetings. This is clearly an affront on the leaders of the organized labour in whom NUPENG is affiliated.
“Afolabi Olawale, the General Secretary of NUPENG is always known for doing the wrong things in satisfaction of his selfish desires with impunity. He is very manipulative and of low moral rectitude. He doesn’t adhere to acceptable values, neither is he honest or credible. We all know trust is earned, and by being honest it means, having a positive intent, having strong competencies, and a track record of results, but Afolabi lacks all these great virtues and this is shameful.
“Labour leaders should call him to order. Otherwise, he would thwart their efforts and sell them off for a price without any modicum of dignity. NUPENG had suffered many misfortunes under his watch. Stakeholders are therefore advised to be wary of him and should never take him seriously, “Elder Ohakwu stated.
