By Sani Idris
A group, under the auspices of Frustrated Petrol Station Workers, have sought organisational structure as an affiliate of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), while lamenting neglect by marketers in the industry.
Addressing newsmen on behalf of the group on Thursday in Kaduna, Mr Ibrahim Zango said they had been relegated to the background when it came to voicing their minds over unfair treatment over the years.
He emphasised on the roles of NUPENG, Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Independent Marketers in the petroleum value chain among others in protecting their members’ interest and welfare.
Zango, however, lamented that it is only the petroleum station workers who included cleaners, security guards, pump attendants, and other persons working in filling stations that have no voice.
He, therefore, said it was long overdue for them to have a national body that would not just oversee the affairs of its members but also protect their rights as well as improve their standards of living.
“If you calculate the number of filling stations in Nigeria with at least 20 of our members in each of the stations, it will give you an idea of our population and contribution to the development of the Nigerian oil sector.
“Unfortunately, in spite of the vital role the workers play in our economy, one of the major setbacks of the job is the excessive maltreatment and total neglect by petroleum marketers all over the country.
“This maltreatment, which we see as a violation of our rights includes but not limited to indiscriminate sacking and dismissal, poor salaries and wages, and a poor healthcare system.”
Speaking further, Zango said their recent findings in Northern Nigeria, showed that filling station workers working for independent marketers’ at stations received a monthly salary of between N10,000 to N15000 only.
He also said those working at the major marketers petrol stations received a monthly salary of between N15,000 to N20,000, while wondering why some of them will not cut corners to survive the current economic hardship
In addition, Zango lamented that some of them who might have worked for more than decades got sacked or dismissed without any financial benefit that could sustain them.
“Sometimes, our people get dismissed outrightly just because they are old or sick and cannot go to work. You all know some of the dangers associated with the nature of our work which include the toxic working environment and fire hazards.
“Although few marketers provide healthcare when it comes to hazards, the majority of the marketers neglect their workers even when they sustain injuries in the line of duty,”he added.
Further, he emphasised the absence of formal agreement as regards employment which would put into consideration, acceptance of work, resignation, and sacking in the interest of equity.
He, therefore, urges the leadership of NUPENG as their mother body, to as a matter of necessity, organise free, fair, and credible elections to usher in the petrol stations workers leadership at national, state, and local government levels.
According to him, it will protect their members in all the nooks and crannies of the country.
“We know the road ahead may be rough and tough, an attempt will be made to frustrate our noble efforts to improve our standard of living and entrench some dignity in our work as key contributors to the prosperity and growth of our dear country.
“We will, however, not relent in our effort to have a voice that can speak for all our members across the country when such a need arises.
“We cannot continue to remain silent while our members dye after putting all their productive years to work,” Zango said.(NAN)
