PETROAN declines to join Organised Labour’s protest


Tina Amanda

Owners of Petroleum Product Retail Outlets say they would not participate in the proposed strike of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress billed for today in Port Harcourt.

State Chairman of Petroleum Product Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Comrade Francis Chilem-Dimkpa, in an interview with our correspondent Tina Amanda, said he has directed all filling station operators in the state to keep their services open for customers come 8th September.

He noted that the leadership of PETROAN took the decision after due consideration, adding that they are not unaware of the pending litigation against the proposed strike in the state.

“The leadership of Petroleum Product Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria is not unaware of the proposed strike action of labour unions. The decision was taken after a stakeholder’s meeting with relevant agencies in the state.

“We have resolved to continue to engage relevant agencies as well as the government in this direction.

“All filling stations operators in Rivers State are hereby directed that for now, PETROAN is not joining the strike action, hence all filling station should remain open and attend to customers with no additional cost”

Comrade Chilem-Dimkpa said they will continue to engage at all level of discussion to ensure their members do not breach the law.