The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has opened talks with the Lagos State Government to resolve the ongoing dispute over towed tanker trucks.
NUPENG’s General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, confirmed that the discussions aim to prevent fuel distribution disruptions that could lead to widespread scarcity. He explained that the union had suspended its services following the recent crackdown on tanker drivers by Lagos State security personnel.
The dispute stems from the Lagos State Task Force’s action on February 22, when it towed several trucks and arrested members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association near the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki for parking on highways.
Afolabi reassured the public that the government had promised to release the seized trucks, and negotiations were ongoing to resolve the crisis. However, he noted that the outcome of the talks remained uncertain.
Meanwhile, Lagos NUPENG Chairman, Tayo Aboyeji, confirmed that the withdrawal of services was a response to the mistreatment of tanker drivers. He stated that the union had previously instructed drivers to avoid night travel for safety reasons, yet security personnel reportedly targeted those who stopped to rest.
“As a result, we decided to suspend services in the state until the government provides a safe and convenient space for tanker drivers, ensuring such incidents do not happen again,” Aboyeji said.
He assured that the union’s national leadership was in talks with the state government and that fuel distribution would resume once a resolution was reached.
