Tanker drivers, marketers threaten to strike on protest N100bn debts, harassment

Tanker drivers and petroleum marketers under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Associations of Nigeria (IPMAN) have issued a stern warning of an impending nationwide strike over unpaid debts amounting to N100 billion and alleged harassment by government agencies.

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) commenced an indefinite strike on Sunday, citing harassment by police officers in Lagos State.

Yusuf Othman, national president of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), said government officials frequently harass and assault their members for unclear reasons, adding that their trucks were being seized and damaged.

Read also: Telecom services in Lagos, Ogun at risk over tanker drivers’ strike

Telecom services in Lagos, Ogun at risk

The strike is already affecting essential services, with telecom operators warning of potential service disruptions.

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) said the strike is disrupting diesel supply to base stations in Lagos and Ogun states, which rely on generators due to unreliable grid electricity.

“The ongoing strike is severely disrupting the diesel supply to our members’ base stations in Lagos and Ogun States, causing significant concern as numerous telecom sites are now critically low on diesel, threatening service disruptions,” ATCON president Tony Emoekpere said in a statement on Sunday.

ATCON called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene, describing the situation as a “national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety.”

Marketers threaten to join the strike

The crisis may worsen as fuel marketers have also threatened to withdraw services over unpaid debts.

IPMAN said its members are owed N100 billion by the federal government and may halt fuel distribution if the debts remain unpaid.

The association disclosed this plan during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, where it issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to clear off the unpaid bridging claims.

Presenting a communique of the Association, Yahaya Alhassan, chairman of IPMAN Depot Chairmen Forum, said that the nine (9) Northern depots comprising of Jos depot, Gusau depot, Minna depot, Suleja depot, Kaduna Depot, Kano depot, Gombe depot, Yola Depot and Maiduguri depot have become completely grounded over this lingering debt.

He explained that the debt being owed is monies belonging to marketers, which were deducted from us at the point of payments for products, to settle our bridging allowances.

“We will not hesitate to immediately take actions in due course if our demands are not met immediately beginning from today Monday 24th February 2025,” he said.

Implications of the strikes

Experts warn that if the strikes persist, they could worsen fuel scarcity, disrupt businesses, and affect essential services nationwide.

Transport costs may rise due to limited fuel supply, while industries that rely on diesel, such as manufacturing and logistics, may face operational challenges.

The telecommunications sector could experience service disruptions if diesel shortages persist. ATCON has warned that prolonged outages at base stations could affect mobile and internet services in Lagos and Ogun states.