Oil Marketers And Incessant Strikes

Recently, residents of Rivers State had their social and economic lives disrupted as petroleum tanker drivers and others under the auspices of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN) embarked on an industrial action that shut down the distribution and sale of petroleum products in the state for two days.
This happened inspite of the spirited effort of the Rivers State Government to avert the action as some parties in conflict reneged in keeping faith with the understanding reached with government. The parties in dispute were the petroleum sector workers and security agencies, the military authorities of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, in particular.
In a joint statement issued by IPMAN Chairman in Rivers State, Obele Ngei Chu, and Chairman of Licensed Petrol Station Owners (LIPSO) in Rivers State, Sunny Nkpe, the members of the unions had raised an alarm over what they described as incessant seizure of their trucks by operatives of the Nigerian Army.
They accused the soldiers of illegally impounding and keeping in their (Army) custody, no fewer than 14 trucks loaded with petroleum products and insisted on embarking on the industrial action unless the trucks were released to them.
The union leaders eventually made good their threat, notwithstanding the intervention of the state government through the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dr Peter Medee, as the release of the trucks was not effected within the time frame envisaged by the angry petroleum products dealers.
Within only 48 hours that the strike held, Premium Motor Spirit or petrol sold for as high as N350 per litre in Port Harcourt; commuters got stranded on the roads while many had to trek long distances as transport fares went up to as high as 100 per cent in some routes within the city. This is just to mention only a few of the several concomitant disruptions, dislocations and crippling inconveniences the people endured.
Normalcy may have since returned with the calling off of the strike and resumption of business by the petroleum marketers, thanks to the robust intervention and demonstration of the highest level of responsibility and responsiveness demonstrated by the Rivers State Government in the quick resolution of the crisis, but The Tide thinks that the time is now for all stakeholders to engage in order to forestall the recurrent highly costly incident that hurts not only residents but the economy of the state as well.
Against this backdrop, we urge the state government to initiate a multi-sectoral stakeholders standing committee comprising the petroleum sector unions, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the security agencies, the state government and any other relevant bodies to deal with all issues pertaining to petroleum products distribution in the state. The thinking is that such a committee, when functional and effective, will be able to address and reduce to the barest minimum, if not eliminate, all misunderstandings, misgivings and misrepresentations between the dealers and law enforcement agencies before they snowball into conflicts.
That said, The Tide is also of the opinion that the leaderships of the petroleum sector unions need to do more to educate and enlighten their members to be better disciplined and law abiding. So far, it’s been obvious that their tendency to be indisciplined and lawless because of their capacity to cause socio-economic upheaval easily is very high.
Surely, the frequency of their altercation with the security agencies and other law enforcement personnel will be minimized if they are enlightened to understand that their right to operate does not supersede the rights of others to exist and operate their businesses as well without undue interference.
Members of IPMAN and LIPSO must also rein in their appetite for inordinate profits that lures them into engaging in sharp practices. While we concede to the dealers their obligation to protect their members, they must exhibit greater obligation to demonstrate patriotism to their fatherland by the sanctions they impose on saboteurs among them who indulge in products’ diversion, hoarding, inaccurate dispensing of products, selling above regulated price and sundry unwholesome activities.
Without undermining the brave, gallant, patriotic and sacrificial efforts of security agencies in undertaking the daunting challenge of enforcement of law and order in our society, it is very disturbing to note that most of the criminal elements in the distribution chain of petroleum products are aided, abetted, encouraged and given security cover by law enforcement agents of the state.
We believe that the level of economic sabotage experienced in the petroleum sector will be tolerable if some security personnel do not engage actively in the illegal business and refuse to be compromised. It is common knowledge that while those who are able to pay are allowed and aided to burst pipelines, steal crude oil, illegally refine and convey same to the market, others who attempt to play smart are usually caught in the dragnet and made a public show of. It is as well a common sight to behold security escorts accompanying products that are being diverted while impediments are placed on genuine and lawful endeavours for failure to grease their palms.
Our clarion call is for our security agents to exercise strict patriotism motivated discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties to the state, and that is to ensure that no criminal goes scot-free while the law abiding is not hindered or made to suffer unjustly under any guise. It is, indeed, every stakeholder’s responsibility to ensure a seamless availability of petroleum products to Nigerians at all times. The economy of the country and state will be the better for it as well.