Telecom Services in Lagos, Ogun at Risk as Tanker Drivers’ Strike Disrupts Diesel Supply

Telecommunications services in Lagos and Ogun states could face disruptions following the withdrawal of services by petroleum tanker drivers under the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has raised alarm over the strike’s impact, citing severe disruptions to diesel supply for telecom base stations.

In a statement on Sunday, ATCON President Tony Emoekpere expressed concerns over the potential consequences of the strike, which began earlier that day.

“We have been informed that the NUPENG Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have embarked on a strike action, effective this morning, in protest of the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State,” Emoekpere said.

“Consequently, all truck loading operations and movements have been suspended indefinitely, pending further notice. The ongoing strike is severely disrupting the diesel supply to our members’ base stations in Lagos and Ogun States, causing significant concern as numerous telecom sites are now critically low on diesel, threatening service disruptions.”

With telecommunications services at risk, ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene urgently. The association urged the state governments to ensure diesel supply from depots remains unhindered to maintain seamless telecom operations.

Speaking with TheCable on Monday, NUPENG’s General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, confirmed the industrial action. He said the service withdrawal was a direct response to the alleged harassment and arrest of tanker drivers by Lagos state security personnel.

Afolabi explained that NUPENG had previously instructed drivers to avoid travelling at night to mitigate risks of accidents and hijackings. However, drivers who adhered to this directive by parking to rest were allegedly targeted by law enforcement.

“We gave tanker drivers instructions not to travel at night to avoid accidents and hijackers on the highway. But where they parked to rest, Lagos state security officials went there, towed their vehicles, arrested our members, and even damaged the union’s patrol vehicle,” Afolabi said.

While the s remains uncertain, Afolabi revealed that discussions are ongoing between NUPENG and the state government. He expressed optimism that a resolution could be reached soon.

“There is already a discussion ongoing. If the discussion is concluded today or tomorrow, the issue will be resolved,” he noted.