•Says mischief makers pedaling fake news
By Chukwuma Umeorah
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has dismissed reports of a nationwide protest and their purported exit from the Union as fake news.
In a joint press release issued by the leadership of NUPENG and the PTD branch on Monday, the unions categorically denied any intention to embark on a protest, emphasising the unity within the union and labeling the claims as false and unfounded.
The leadership attributed the misinformation to a deliberate attempt by certain individuals and their sponsors to create panic and artificially induce scarcity in the distribution of petroleum products across the country.
Expressing concern about potential social upheaval and security issues arising from the spread of such misleading information, the Union leaders called on security agencies to investigate the source of the fake news and take appropriate action against those responsible.
“We earnestly call on security agencies to urgently fish out the writer of this very misleading and panic-creating news items and make him face the full wrath of the law if he/she cannot prove the source and authority of the fake news item.”
Despite the challenges posed by the false reports, the leadership reassured the public of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers’ commitment to the national services of effectively and efficiently distributing petroleum products. They expressed their support for the government’s efforts to stabilize the economy and emphasized their determination to continue providing essential services to the nation.
The National Chairman of PTD, Comrade Augustine Egbon, stated emphatically, “The Petroleum Tanker Drivers are not embarking on any form of protest, and we are determined to continue our services to the nation and wholeheartedly support the efforts of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put our economy on the right track for the good of all of us.”
NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, urged the general public to ignore the false information and mischief makers. He appealed to citizens to remain calm amid tough times while emphasizing the solidarity of both unions in serving and protecting the interests of Nigerians.