By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has decried the strike mongering posture of its parent body in reaction to the alleged deployment of troops that reportedly chased away members of the union from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig.

PTD also used the moment to reassure Nigerians and the entire stakeholders in the petroleum industry downstream sector that it would do everything possible within its power to stop NUPENG from making do its threat, an action which it said could further cripple the economy of the country and increase people’s hardship and hunger.

The union also maintained that Tanker Drivers would no longer work against the progressive and seamless policies of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or be an attack dog to the government under the current leadership of NUPENG.

A leader from the Port Harcourt Zone of PTD Comrade Chief Joseph Dagogo-Jack (JP) made this disclosure in Abuja on Friday, November 8, 2024 during a parley with newsmen at Top Rank Galaxy hotel around 2pm, Nigerian time.

Dagogo-Jack also appealed to PTD members across the country to go about their normal duties in actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu as it concerns the oil sector.

“What NUPENG is currently facing at the Oritsetimeyin oil rig is a reflection of failure and lack of direction by its leadership as presently constituted, especially the office of the General Secretary, occupied by Afolabi Olawale. Here is a leadership that took it’s members in PTD to Court with the intention to jail them, leadership that set up and sacked its secretariat staff over trump up charges, leadership that demoted its staff and suspended several members, leadership that flagrantly disobeyed court orders and has been serially slammed with contempt of court, leadership with no prudence, discipline, transparency, probity and accountability, leadership full of high-handedness .

“Leadership that has completely destroyed all the Branches under the umbrella body of NUPENG, that is the same leadership struggling to get national relevance and attempting fight for workers at the rig whose fundamental rights were violated. NUPENG can get nothing done positively until it mend its fence and allow PTD to breathe, otherwise it can make any progress. It has set dangerous precedents for itself and it therefore needs to urgently do self introspection and restitution and as well accord leadership legitimacy to PTD led group of Comrade Lucky Osesua and his entire team.

“It is crystal clear that NUPENG has failed completely to cater to the needs and interests of its members across board, no wonder it now sees the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) as a threat to its existence having noticed that ADITOP is now ready and prepared to offer better deal to Tanker Drivers with a robust Collective Bargaining Agreement, security of tenure, protection from health and safety hazards, and with the poise to come up with relevant training on health and safety, among other juicy packages, which NUPENG has failed to do over the years but only sees PTD as a cash cow, yet its members are being impoverished through NUPENG’s policies and programmes. NUPENG needs to understand the beauty of democracy, NUPENG cannot continue to enjoy the monopoly of freedom of association and assembly in the oil and gas sector, our constitution is very clear about that.

“We must however reiterate that PTD is a recognised association of its own and wants to concentrate on its main core objectives and we are also using this opportunity to also appeal to security agencies to always assist and work in a friendly manner with our members at all times. Our members should also know that PTD will soon call for a national executive council meeting to treat the issues within the PTD and effectively regularise our activities within.

“We call on all national executive members, both past and present, to unite and come together towards ensuring an amicable resolution and smooth sailing of PTD, as without peace and unity, the association will not move forward. The national chairman, Lucky Osesua, his deputies Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Comrade (Chief) Peter Moudebelu (Onwa) and the national secretary, Humble Power Obinna and other executives of the PTD branch are ready to work with everyone, and we offer an olive branch to the opposition to contribute their quota to the growth of PTD.

“I want to also assure the Nigerian people that we mean well for the country and shall never in any way inflict pain or injury on the masses. Although we are worried about the disturbing action of some overzealous security personnel, we believe with dialogue, we can still maintain industrial harmony and peace within the petroleum industry value chain. Notwithstanding, workers’ rights and the sanctity of negotiated agreements at Oritsetimeyin oil rig should not be compromised under any guise.

“It must be noted and placed on record that PTD cannot, through our action, add to the current hardship and cry of hunger by vulnerable Nigerians by engaging in any industrial tension under a fragile and weak economy that is currently screaming for help. That will be irresponsible and totally unpatriotic of us should we join NUPENG in any needless strike at a time like this,” the labour leader (Dagogo-Jack) stated.

Administrators of WhatsApp groups operating within Zimbabwe’s borders are now forced to register and secure a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ).

The new controversial licensing requirement, outlined at a recent POTRAZ breakfast meeting, set the minimum cost for a license at $50, with fees going up to US$2,500 depending on the type of WhatsApp group.

The move has ostensibly been necessitated by the need to tighten data security and privacy for all citizens.

Information Communications Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Tatenda Mavetera, said all WhatsApp group administrators will soon be required to register and obtain a license from POTRAZ to operate their groups.

In addition to getting a license, WhatsApp group admins will be required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) trained and certified by POTRAZ.

This move is intended to ensure compliance with Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act, which governs the handling of personal information.

Under the Act, personal data is defined as any information that can be used to directly or indirectly identify a person. Since WhatsApp group admins have access to members’ phone numbers, the government argues that these groups fall under data protection regulations.

Mavetera noted that the latest development would affect not only businesses, but also community organisations, churches, and any other groups that collect personal data

“Even churches who collect personal data ought to have such a license and appoint a DPO,” Mavetera said.

Those found in violation of the fresh clampdown measures risk penalties, jail time, or both.

The new controversial policy, which comes against a backdrop of growing use of the popular social media application to stir political debates as President Emmerson Mnangagwa is locked in a power tussle with his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, is seen as an infringement on citizens’ right to free speech and association.

Zimbabwe joins a growing number of countries gravitating towards shutting digital spaces amid growing dissent and anger against the ruling Zanu PF party.