The announced suspension of loading and distribution of fuel products by Eastern Zone of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has grounded many motorists in Port Harcourt and its environment.
Chairman of the union, Godwin Eruba, said that the decision was taken to protest alleged police harassment of its members at the premises of an oil firm, Weatherford Nigeria Limited. According to him, members were picketing the firm over labour related issues when policemen allegedly started molesting the union members.
This was even as the national industrial officer of NUPENG, Mr. Bassey Harry, said the strike which commenced yesterday, would only be suspended when the police officers who harassed the union members were made to face the law.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has expressed support for NUPENG’s action, saying the Rivers State Government, Commissioner of Police and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, should step in to resolve the crisis.
State Chairman of TUC, Chika Unuegbu, said the Congress was shocked that the Police could be so ruthless over a labour related issue.
The Police on its part denied that its men harassed members of the union.
Police spokesman in the state, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, said the Police only made effort to assist bailiffs/officials to enforce a court verdict from the National Industrial Court, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.
DSP Muhammad explained in a statement that the court officials requested the assistance of the Police, adding that the police merely ensured that there was no breakdown of law and order while the bailiffs and court officials went about their assignments.
“It is relevant to state that the Rivers State Police Command acted on the request of court bailiffs to enforce a court judgment delivered by Justice J. T. Agbambu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. In such circumstances, it is the constitutional mandate of the Police to maintain law and order during the execution of the court judgment which was purely done by the court bailiffs without police actually taking part in the execution. The Police were merely performing their constitutional duties in line with the principles of natural justice and rule of law.” [myad]
