Simon Utebor, Yenagoa
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has called off its five-day strike, which has caused the prevailing scarcity of petroleum products in Bayelsa State.
The strike was called off on Thursday at the end of a meeting between NUPENG and the leaderships of Operation Delta Safe and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state.
NUPENG had embarked on the strike after a row with personnel of NSCDC over the arrest of a tanker driver for alleged possession of illegal petroleum products.
At the meeting, which was convened by the Bayelsa State Government and held in Yenagoa, the state capital, it was resolved that the security agencies would facilitate the release of the tanker driver in the centre of the imbroglio.
It was also resolved that after the release of the unnamed driver, necessary steps would be taken to ensure the amicable resolution of the matter.
The meeting, which took place in Government House, Yenagoa, was presided over by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown.
It had in attendance the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite, Special Adviser on Security Matters, Dr. Boma Spero-Jack, Mr. Reuben Wanogha of NUPENG, as well as the HOD, Legal, Operation Delta Safe, O. B. Anyikwa and his counterpart in the NSCDC, Mr. K. C. Nwachukwu, among others.
Governor Seriake Dickson had earlier accepted to replace the tanker and the products to end the stand-off and ensure the availability of petroleum products in the state.
The communique released after the meeting read in part, “At the end of the meeting called by the Bayelsa State Government with representatives of the security agencies and the NUPENG, the NUPENG has agreed to call off the strike and the security agencies are to facilitate the release of the tanker driver from detention.
“It was further resolved that the prosecuting agency should take the necessary steps to ensure an amicable resolution of the matter.”
It will be recalled that fuel scarcity hit Yenagoa metropolis on Monday following a clash between personnel of the NSCDC and fuel tanker drivers along the East-West Road.
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