The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has criticized what it calls the barbaric exploitation of Nigerians by rogue oil marketers who sell petroleum products at prices higher than authorized pump pricing.
To that aim, the union stated that it has agreed to begin punishing any marketer who is accused of engaging in unwholesome practices.
A statement signed by NUPENG President and General Secretary, Comrades William Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, said: “Any marketer selling above the approved ex-depot prices will have our union to contend with, henceforth,” while urging all its members in the distribution chains to remain steadfast and dedicated to serving the nation.
According to the statement, they are aware that some decent and patriotic marketers are eager and ready to do business in methods that do not abuse and inflict misery on the people. As a result, they are urging these marketers not to be discouraged or give up, but to continue working with the union and other patriotic stakeholders to help stop this heinous practice.
They also encourage the government to make the goods available in such numbers, ways, and manners that these unscrupulous elements will not be able to hold the nation, hostage.
NUPENG bemoaned the rising dangers that its members, particularly tanker drivers, were suffering when transporting goods from the south to the north, some of whom were hiding in the bushes along the Benin-Auchi-Lokoja highway due to bandit and hoodlum attacks.