VAM News Update

As mobilisation for the October 3 nationwide strike heightens, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed members, to ensure full compliance.

Specifically, NUPENG said the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD; Petrol Stations Workers, PSW; Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers, LPGAR, and all other allied workers in the value chain of petroleum products distribution must comply with the strike from midnight of Tuesday, October 3rd.

VAM News last week reported that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria resolved to begin an indefinite nationwide strike starting on October 3, 2023.

This comes after a joint press briefing held by the leaders of the unions in Abuja.

The NLC and the government had failed to reach an agreement on the best way to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the attendant hardship in the country on Nigerians.

Following Tuesday’s separate virtual National Executive Council meetings, the unions resolved to commence the strike on October 3 and urged Nigerians to stock up on food supplies for at least one week.

The three-week ultimatum which was given by the NLC to the government expired last week.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo disclosed after their separate Emergency NEC meetings in Abuja that the Nigerian government had been insensitive to the plight of the citizens following the removal of fuel subsidy, which has pushed up the prices of food items, transport fare and other goods and services.