Date: 2017-12-19

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Kwara State has given explanation to why it has not wielded the stick against filling stations engaged in sharp practices in the state.

The agency had earlier said it discovered that in the wake of the fuel scarcity in the state, some filling stations were under dispensing and hoarding the petroleum product.

However, speaking to Pilot Business in Ilorin, over the weekend, the Operations Controller of DPR in the state, Mr. Salvation Philip explained that if erring filling stations are sealed it would affect the quantity of fuel in circulation in the state.

The Deputy Controller, Mr. Oyedele Ibitayo, who spoke on behalf of the DPR boss said, "Our concern has been panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the public. We are on top of the situation as we strictly monitor the few trucks belonging to Kwara to ensure that it is checked at the NNPC and delivered at the required filling stations and dispense to motorists. "

I have classified lists here, therefore when we go out for routine surveillance we take note of the filling stations that received fuel and ensure that they are selling," he said.

"Some of the filling stations caught perpetrating sharp practices such as under dispensing and hoarding fuel, were issued warnings and ordered to do the right thing immediately. We also meted out other punishment because the public will be at the receiving end if the filling stations are sealed.

"During our surveillance last week Thursday we caught some filling stations under dispensing the products and we forced them to readjust their pump,"he added.

Meanwhile, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), on Saturday, gave an indication of a prolonged fuel scarcity, advising Nigerians to stockpile enough fuel and other petroleum products to last them during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Following the deadlock of the meeting facilitated by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachukwu, between PENGASSAN and Neconde management, the union insisted that its proposed strike, would commence by midnight on Monday.

But the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, responding to the development through the Deputy Director (Press) in the ministry, Prince Samuel Olowookere, said: "The minister has arrested the strike," adding that a resolution was reached at a meeting called by the minister for PENGASSAN to put the strike on hold. The president of the union, Comrade Olabode Johnson and the Public Relations Officer, Comrade Fortune Obi, had told newsmen that the strike would be total, indefinite and last through the festive period.

PENGASSAN had issued a seven-day ultimatum last week to the Federal Government to ensure the recall of the sacked members of staff of Neconde by its management.

Already, the union has commenced mobilisation for the strike. Comrade Obi said the union has slated an emergency meeting of its Central Working Committee (CWC) for Monday morning "while other members are being put on standby for the strike to start by 12 midnight Monday."

Following the deadlock of the meeting, the PENGASSAN president appealed to all Nigerians to show understanding and "stockpile adequate quantity of premium motor spirit (PMS) and other petroleum products that will last them during the festive period, as this strike will be indefinite."

While issuing the ultimatum, the union said it would "culminate in the shutting down all oil and gas installations, including disruption to fuel supply and distribution across the country effective Monday December 18, 2017."

The crux of the matter, according to Olabode, is "the unfair labour practices and seemly untamable posture of some indigenous oil and gas companies and marginal field operators by relevant agencies of government."

The union urged the government to direct the management of Neconde and other companies to recall their sacked members as the only option to address the injustice and lawlessness.

But the ministry, in its reaction, said that contrary to the position of the union that the workers, particularly the local branch chairman of PENGASSAN was sacked because of his union activities, the company, Neconde, said he was sacked "because he couldn't measure up to the standard required."

The ministry stated that in-as-much as the government could not force an employer to forcefully retain a worker against its will, the management of Neconde had been directed by the minister to invite the sacked workers for negotiation, and ensure that all rules are followed if any staff would be disengaged and all severance allowances paid.

He pointed out that the minister directed that the process should be concluded between now and January, while PENGASSAN should put on hold the planned strike till the meeting is reconvened in January.