By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
The National Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA) has threatened to stop the supply of petroleum products to Akwa Ibom over allegation of extortion of their members by Tanker Drivers Union in the state .
NOGASA accused Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of impounding their trucks and demanding N50,000 levies from it’s members .
State Chairman of NOGASA, Comrade Sam Osung told a press conference in Uyo yesterday that Akwa Ibom may soon experience the worst form of fuel scarcity if the state government and other stakeholders do not stop the Tanker Drivers from them.
“It will interest you to know that there are different marketers in the downstream such as Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, and related Associations such as Petroleum Products retail outlets owners Association of Nigeria and so on.
“Our members are suppliers of all kinds of industrial Hydrocarbon inclusive of Aviation Turbine Kerosene, Marine Diesel Oil, Marine Gas Oil, Naphtha, Automotive Gas Oil, Dual Purpose Kerosene, Petrochemical Oil (black oil) Bitumen, Blue Oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, Crude Oil Premium Motor Spirit etc.
“NOGASA members supply their products to factories, industries, Telecommunication Masts , construction Companies, Oil Companies and every major end-users of Petroleum products across the Country.
“We buy from Depot and pay all trip levies including that of PTD branch of NUPENG across all depot in Nigeria. It is strange having PTD branch of NUPENG impound our trucks in Akwa Ibom and demanding for #50,000 from us.
“It is strange as this is not happening in any other States in the country except Akwa Ibom. We pay our levies at the depot. PTD don’t collect levies on the road. We wonder why Akwa Ibom is the Banana Island for our Tanker Drivers.
“This extortion is on a daily basis as they keep on Impounding our products along the East west Road in Ikot Abasi and Calabar Itu Road.
Just yesterday, alone we had a complaint from seven of our suppliers whose products even had to be kept on the road till the following day.” He explained.
Osung recalled that on the 23rd of April 2024, Governor Umo Eno had held a solution based meeting with selected Stakeholders to resolve the crisis between NOGASA and other stakeholders in the downstream.
“The Governor had advised that all groups should put their activities on hold as he was going to set up a committee to look into the root causes of the artificially created fuel scarcity that culminated into petroleum products hoarding, price hike as a result of retail outlets closure in Akwa Ibom.
“NOGASA had since adhered to the resolution of the meeting with his Excellency the Governor. The prompt intervention of the Government and the security agencies is crucial as this may have far-reaching consequences
“The suppliers are seriously considering cutting off supplies to Akwa Ibom. That will mean that the telecommunication masts, construction companies, factories, industries may be denied supply if this extortion by the PTD is not addressed
“The public should know who to be held responsible if there is any event that will inconvenience products supply in Akwa Ibom.” The chairman concluded.
