The strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) disrupted fuel supply in Calabar this week, forcing residents to rely on roadside vendors as petrol stations across the city shut down operations.
A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday revealed that most filling stations in the metropolis were closed, with managers citing compliance with the union’s directive to suspend services.
At a popular station in the Atimbo area, one manager who requested anonymity explained, “We were ordered by our union to suspend services, and that is what we are doing. We were told that any station found dispensing petrol to the public risked being fined up to ₦1 million, so we are closed for now.” Premium Times reported.
The closures left many motorists stranded and dependent on black-market fuel sales, often at inflated prices.
Commercial bus driver Aniekan Edet expressed frustration, saying, “We now buy petrol above the approved pump price from roadside sellers. This will eventually add to the cost of transportation if the situation persists.”
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Another resident, Adebisi Adelabu, described the strike’s impact on daily life as unfair to ordinary Nigerians. “I have no petrol in my car. My intention was to refuel at a nearby station so I could take my kids to school. I am stranded now. If I don’t get petrol today, it means I can’t move out tomorrow. This is annoying and frustrating,” she said.
NUPENG had directed its members to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike, accusing Dangote Refinery of anti-labour practices and alleging that the company planned to sideline union-affiliated drivers, potentially rendering more than 250,000 workers jobless.
However, relief came late Tuesday evening when the union announced the suspension of the strike after reaching an agreement with Dangote Refinery management to recognise workers’ rights to unionise, according to Channels TV.
The development is expected to ease the scarcity, with petrol stations expected to reopen gradually in the coming days.
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Image Credit: Premium Times
