NNPC Cautions Against Panic Buying Over PENGASSAN Strike

Fuel-scarcity-NNPCThe Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has advised Nigerians against panic purchase of petroleum products in anticipation of product scarcity as a result of the ongoing strike by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The association commenced an industrial action on Thursday over anti-labour practices by employers in the sector.

Other grievances listed by the association as reason for downing tools are the lingering irregular Joint Venture funding and Cash Call payment arrears, lack of a clear cut direction on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and forceful co-option of government agencies in the industry into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

SEE: Call Off Your Strike, FG Begs PENGASSAN

Reacting to the resurgence of queues at petrol filling stations especially in Abuja and Lagos, the NNPC in a statement on Friday noted that while it has commenced talks with the leadership of the industry unions to address their grievances, it has in stock enough products to satisfy local consumption requirements for the next 45 days.

The statement assured Nigerians that the Corporation was doing everything possible to guarantee that the prevailing sanity in the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country, which was achieved with the recent downstream liberation policy, is sustained.