Telecom Services At Risk As NUPENG Strike Disrupts Diesel Supply.
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has called for urgent intervention following the strike action by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The industrial action, which commenced this morning, is in protest against the alleged harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State.
As a result of the strike, all truck loading operations and fuel distribution have been suspended indefinitely, leading to a severe disruption in diesel supply to telecom base stations across Lagos and Ogun States. According to ATCON President, Mr Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, many telecom sites are now critically low on diesel, raising fears of widespread service disruptions if fuel supply is not restored promptly.
In a statement, Emoekpere urged the governors of Lagos and Ogun States to intervene immediately and facilitate access to diesel from depots to prevent any interruption in telecommunications services.
“The situation requires urgent attention, as the continued delay in diesel supply could affect network availability, impacting businesses and millions of subscribers who rely on telecom services,” he stated.
The strike action underscores the broader implications of the dispute between NUPENG and the police, with potential disruptions extending beyond the petroleum sector to vital infrastructure, including telecommunications. Stakeholders now await swift government intervention to resolve the standoff and restore normalcy.
