NUPENG Strike: NNPC Assures Adequate Product Supply …As States Report Long Fuel Queues

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured of adequate stock of petroleum products in the wake of strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
The assurance is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Acting Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC, Mrs Chinwe Agulefo.
The statement said the corporation had more than 32-day sufficiency of petroleum products.
It said the corporation was working hard with relevant stakeholders to reduce the impact of the disruption in the supply of petroleum products as a result of the strike.
It noted that the relevant stakeholders were already working with the union to ensure quick resolution of issues at stake.
The statement called on members of the public to refrain from panic buying or hoarding of petroleum products.
NUPENG began a three-day warning strike on Monday to demand for better working conditions for its members.
The strike had led the emergence of long queues at filling stations in Abuja and some other parts of the country.
But in Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers State, filling stations were seen dispensing petroleum products to customers who drove in feely into petrol stations to purchase the essential product.
However, the story was different in Lagos, yesterday ,as National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) warning strike entered second day, long fuel queues were obstructing the free flow of traffic in some parts of Lagos.
Our correspondent in Lagos observed that there was obstruction of traffic in areas like Falomo, Ikoyi; Victoria Island and Iponri as a result of long queues of motorists in fuel stations.
The situation was, however, normal in Surulere, Mushin, Ojota, Onipanu, Orile, Ojuelegba, Ikeja, Oshodi and Fadeyi.
Some motorists who spoke, appealed to the Federal Government to immediately step in to address the situation before it became unbearable.
Meanwhile, transport fare in Lagos metropolis was yesterday hiked by about 50 per cent, following the three-day warning strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Our correspondent, who went round Lagos metropolis, reports that commercial bus drivers  increased their fares by about 50 per cent.
Many of the bus stops were crowded as a result of the increased fares.
Mr Ike Moeme, a commuter, said that buses have increased their fares as he paid N150 for a ride from Jibowu to Costain, instead of the usual N100.
“I also paid N200 from Iyana Ipaja to Jibowu this morning, instead of the normal N150.
“I appeal to the government to mediate in the issues of NUPENG before it advances to a national strike,’’ Moeme said.
Mrs Iya Adesanya, a trader, said that she paid N250 from Mile 12 to Oyingbo, instead of the previous N200.
Mr Tunde Emmanuel, a civil servant, said that he paid N400 from Ikorodu to Yaba, as against the usual N200.
Emmanuel also called on the government to settle the contentious issues, noting that if the oil and gas workers did not resolve their problems, Nigerians would suffer.
He said that the warning strike would affect the economy and increase the financial burden of the people.