IPMAN, NUPENG suspends strike in Ekiti as Aregbesola broker truce

THE lingering crisis between the Ekiti State government and members Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) was on Sunday resolved as Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State brokered peace between the warring parties.

Members of IPMAN and NUPENG had embarked on strike action in Ekiti to protest demolition of petrol stations cited in unauthorised locations by Governor Ayo Fayose led state government.

At a meeting held in Osun State Government House yesterday, presided over by Aregbesola, members of the two bodies resolved to suspend their industrial action in the interest of peace and comfort of Ekiti people.

According to a communique issued at the end the meeting, an ad hoc committee was constituted to fashion out in clear terms the conditions and guidelines for the establishment and operations of filling stations in Ekiti State.

The communique, which was signed by Governor Ayo Fayose, Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, NUPENG, General Secretary, Joseph Ogbebor, IPMAN, Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Debo Ahmed and  PTD NUPENG, National Vice Chairman, Comrade Solomon Kilanko states that “the committee comprising representatives of Ekiti State Government and oil and gas stakeholders shall commence work on Wednesday 7th June, 2017”.

It reads in part, “In the spirit of reconciliation, Ekiti State government agreed to pleas for reversal of the revocation of some Certificates of Occupancy of landed properties on which filling stations are built, except the ones on waterways, canals and where there is no justification for such revocation”.

“In that same spirit, the government agreed to stop further demolitions pending the outcome of the committee’s report; and consequently the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and other related oil and gas unions hereby suspend the industrial action embarked upon by their members, with immediate effect”.