Fuel scarcity: Fear not, NNPC reassures Nigerians as PENGASSAN downs tools

 

 

The NNPC has cautioned Nigerians against embarking on panic buying of petroleum products due to the strike action called by the PENGASSAN.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Friday called on members to embark on the strike, after a scheduled meeting with the federal government failed to hold on Thursday.

The union is unhappy over the non passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, which it said the government was being insensitive to, adding that this, among others are “critical to the survival” of the country’s energy sector.

PENGASSAN also noted that it decided to call the strike over issues such as joint venture funding and cash call arrears, which it said had stalled the creation of new jobs and investment in the sector.

The action has prompted fears among Nigerians that motorist may be headed for another round of fuel shortages, and long accompanying long queues at filling stations, an experience they were subjected to earlier in the year.

But the NNPC in a bid to pacify Nigerians said “The corporation has in stock enough products to satisfy local consumption requirements for the next 45 days”.

The corporations spokesman Garba Deen Muhammad who gave the assurance also said the state oil company had begun talks with trade union leaders to address their concerns.