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IPMAN and NUPENG Suspend Strike Over Alleged Police Extortion

Written by Jerry Alomatu on July 15, 2024

News Views: 83

Members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in Oyo and Osun states have announced the suspension of their indefinite strike, initially declared over alleged police harassment and extortion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspension was confirmed in a statement signed by IPMAN Chairman, Alhaji Mutiu Bukola; Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of NUPENG, Alhaji Hammed Hamzat; Chairman of the Independent Marketers branch of NUPENG, Mr. Surajudeen Adegoke; and IPMAN Vice-Chairman, Alhaji Olalekan Lawal.

The decision to suspend the strike followed interventions from various stakeholders, including zonal leaders and the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, who facilitated the release of a detained driver and his truck.

“We had the intervention of stakeholders from PTD, IMB, and IPMAN from the western zone on the issues we raised, and 70 per cent of our demands have been granted,” the statement read. “Also, the Commissioner of Police in Osun has invited the unions for a roundtable meeting on July 15 to resolve other issues concerning harassment and extortion.”

The unions emphasized that the strike suspension aims to foster dialogue and resolve the issues of victimization, harassment, and extortion involving the IGP monitoring team. They appreciated the cooperation of stakeholders in the industry, including the zonal council of PTD, IMB, IPMAN, and their members.

They reiterated their rejection of the IGP monitoring team’s presence on the highways, urging them to focus on their mandate of preventing vandalism and bunkering of petroleum products.

NAN recalls that the three unions declared an indefinite strike on Saturday due to the alleged harassment and extortion by the IGP monitoring team, demanding the immediate release of the detained driver and truck.

The outcome of the upcoming meeting will be communicated to the press, as the unions seek to establish better understanding and working conditions with the Nigerian Police Force.