Fuel scarcity looms as tanker drivers embark on strike

TRACKING_____The nation might be plunged into serious fuel scarcity as petroleum tanker drivers embarked on an indefinite industrial action against what they described as constant harassment from operatives the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)

Kano State branch of the Petroleum Tanker Drive rs 8 (PTD) and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) described incessant harassment by men of the Nigerian Customs Service as unwarranted.

Speaking yesterday, PTD Chairman, Alhaji Sa’idu Al’amura, said in an interview with newsmen that the action became necessary to safeguard their businesses, which he said was legitimate.

He added that the association found it necessary to embark on the strike to express their concern over alleged incessant harassment and arrest of their members while on their way to filling stations even within Kano metropolis.

“Currently there are five trucks that were impounded by Customs operatives for more than one month,” Al’amura said.

He said the association had also directed its members in five other states in the North-West to join the strike until when the issues between them and the Nigerian Customs Service were resolved.

He listed the effected states as Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.

Al’amura said during the strike, no member of the association would transport petroleum products to filling stations across the six states in the zone until their demand of releasing the impounded vehicles was met.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer of Kano/Jigawa Customs Area Command, Mr. Danbaba Isah, said five tankers were arrested for alleged diversion of petroleum products from Kano to Faggo town in Sandamu local Government Areas of Katsina State.

According to him, the product was supposed to have been taken to filling stations in Kano metropolis and Kura town in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, but was found near Daura in Katsina State.

He said after investigation, one of the tankers was released because it was transporting fuel to a contractor who was handling a road project in Jigawa State.

He said four suspects were still in detention and would soon be charged to court after investigation.

“The drivers are aware of the recent order by the Federal Government that no fuel tanker should supply petroleum products to within 20 kilometres of border areas; that was why they were arrested and the vehicles impounded,” he said.