Following the intervention of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, an understanding to raise the Bridging Cost Allowance (BCA) of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) from N6.20 to N7.20 has encouraged the striking driver to call their one day industrial action nationwide.
Accordingly, NUPENG President, Igwe Achese, announced that the strike had been called off after a meeting that had in attendance members of the union, the PTD, National Association of Transport Owners and the management of the NNPC, led by its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru.
At the meeting, Baru announced that the Federal Government had approved the increase in the bridging cost allowance to oil marketers in order to ensure adequate transportation of petroleum products across the country from the various depots.
Baru said “I’m happy to announce to you that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, has just approved the increase in the bridging cost allowance from N6.20 to N7.20. This is a good platform for you all to discuss the issues. We expect that with this, you will call off the strike immediately”.
“I plead with you to ensure that your discussions should be guided by national and not personal interest.”
A top official of PTD told Business Hilights during a late night telephone interview that product liftings will commence very early from Tuesday morning to feed areas that have already started witnessing acute scarcity.
Explaining more, the official said the strike was to draw the attention of the government and other stakeholders to some unresolved issues bordering on the welfare of workers, such as bad roads, poor remuneration, insecurity and the alleged excesses of some security agencies.
