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The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) told petroleum tanker drivers to pull out their services from Lagos State with effect from August 10.

The order hail from on the heels of the letdown of various authorities in the state to tackle three major problems causing setbacks for petroleum tanker drivers in the state.

Its National President, Comrade (Prince) Williams Eniredonana Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, made this known in a press statement yesterday.

The union said: “The entire rank and file members of the union are deeply pained, frustrated and agonized by the barrage of these challenges being consistently faced by petroleum tanker drivers in Lagos State and are left with no other option but to direct the withdrawal of their services in Lagos State until Lagos State Government and other relevant stakeholders address these critical challenges.

“It is sad and disheartening to note here that we had made several appeals and reports to the Lagos State Government and the Presidential Task Force for the decongestion of Apapa on these challenges but all to no avail.

“We cannot afford to fold our arms while our members are being consistently and continually extorted, intimidated, harassed and victimized by different groups and segments in Lagos.

“It is really disturbing and as well inexplicable that security agents who are expected to ensure the free flow of traffic and protection of road users now use their uniforms and arms to intimidate, harass and extort money from petroleum tanker drivers.

“This reprehensible conduct is taking serious tolls on the psychological, emotional and financial state of petroleum tanker drivers and their capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver services to the nation.

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“This menace must stop and the leadership of these security operatives in Lagos State must go all out to call their men to order with immediate effect. Every one of them should be contented with their salaries and allowances rather than turning hapless petroleum tanker drivers to money-making machines.”

The union further said: “Persistent traffic gridlock and indiscriminate parking of containerized trucks on major Lagos roads and bridges leading to Apapa Port, Kirikiri, Beach Land, Satellite Town, Ijegun are another major setbacks bedevilling the smooth running of the operations of petroleum tanker drivers in Lagos State.