Following the incessant strike actions being carried out by Petroleum Tanker Drivers, the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday resolved to end such crisis.
According to ADITOP, the frequent strike action by the tanker drivers have been killing their businesses and affecting the Nigerian economy, insisting that they won’t allow such to continue.
A communique issued at the end of an extraordinary meeting held at the NAF Conference Centre Abuja, ADITOP and IPMAN said the collaboration and the launch of the ADITOP sticker that will be placed in all their trucks marked the beginning of the end of tanker drivers strike.
Both ADITOP and IPMAN resolved to negotiate with drivers of petroleum products and other relevant government agencies to provide better services to Nigerians and ensure that the petroleum products are distributed to all the nook and cranny of Nigeria.
Speaking during the meeting held at NAF Conference Centre Abuja, the National President of ADITOP, Alhaji Lawal Danzaki, said the collaboration was a step in the right direction in dealing with issues of tanker drivers strike.
Danzaki said as a petroleum producing nation, such issues should not arise insisting that the signing of the PIA by President Muhammadu Buhari means that all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry must look inward and device means of helping the Nigerian economy.
“Product diversion, mishandling of the product and tanker accident are some of the negative trends we are facing in the industry apart from the tanker drivers strike.
“Today, we have concluded arraignment to commence distribution of petroleum products through new technology. We have resolved to end the incessant strike action by tanker drivers which is destroying our businesses and the Nigerian economy,” Danzaki said.
He commended the GMD of NNPP for providing intervention to them but asked for more support to enable them purchase trucks since the cost of purchase and maintenance is high.
Speaking, Investment Banker and consultant who is the Chairman of Benham Group, Maurice Ibe, assured that the collaboration between ADITOP and IPMAN will ensure that they put a stop in the incessant strike by tanker drivers in the country.
“The collaboration is not just to ensure that the strike action always embarked by tanker drivers is averted, the collaboration is to bring value added incentives in the oil and gas industry which runs into trillions.
“Business success have been pushed to third parties. But with this collaboration, we have added value to our businesses and not to shutdown government again,” Ibe said.
Executive secretary of ADITOP, Dr Abu Bawa, said problems associated with the distribution and transportation of petroleum products have been resolved.
“We are assuring the entire country that best practices and responsible distribution of petroleum products have commenced today. All issues of petroleum distribution in Nigeria will be addressed,” the secretary said they are creating a strong relationship with all the stakeholders especially the NNPC.
IPMAN President, Chinedu Okoronkwo, said the collaboration is a new roadmap adding that with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), they are putting heads together to see how they can effectively supply products to Nigerians without strike by tanker drivers.
“We have over 50,000 members and some have over 500- 1000 trucks. incessant strike cripple the economy and affect our businesses. We have resolved to end that today,” Okoronkwo said.
