NUPENG withdraws stay-at-home order

Contrary to earlier reports by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Petrol Station Workers (PSW) and Petroleum Depots Workers among other workers in the informal sector should obey the stay-at-home order, the union yesterday rescinded its decision, stating that their services are very essential, particularly as the nation battles to end the coronavirus pandemic.
 
The union said the decision was unanimously resolved that all its members that are in the value chain of distribution of petroleum products for commercial, industrial and domestic uses should continue to work.
 
President of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, and Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, who noted that the union was quite aware that these workers in the course of serving the nation become highly vulnerable to the virus, promised to provide necessary safety kits at various loading points, even as the union urged them to provide necessary mechanisms and tools including social distancing at their various locations.

However, the union urged workers, who are not in direct line of loading and distribution of petroleum products on any particular day to stay at home to avoid the unnecessary crowd at operational locations.
 
NUPENG further informed members and other stakeholders in the downstream sector to diligently follow international protocols, including the recommended health and safety measures by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) by maintaining social distancing, excellent personal hygiene and keeping the work environment safe while discharging their essential services in the downstream sector of the industry and to the general public.