By Kingsley Omonobi
ABUJA—The Nigerian Army and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch, PTD, of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday resolved amicably issues of manhandling, disappearance of petrol tankers belonging to their members and killing of a driver attached to one of the tankers which almost resulted in a nationwide strike in November 2010.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, presided over the settlement and disclosed that the Nigeria Army had commenced an operation to keep the troublesome Benin-Ore-Shagamu road safe from hoodlums and criminals who often make life miserable for Nigerian road users plying that road.

The resolution of the NUPENG crisis, however, came with a price, resulting in the Army approving various sums of money as compensation for the losses incurred by members of the union.

This includes a N15million bank draft to Mrs. Halima Anko, owner of the tanker that went missing in Port Harcourt after it had been arrested and owner of Hakamok Investment Ltd whose tanker was involved in an accident in Ibadan; he received the sum of N4 million as compensation.

Another victim, the driver of the tanker who was killed by a soldier is also to be compensated by the Army headquarters at a later date in Jos but General Ihejirika who made the disclosure, declined to give the name of the deceased or the amount of compensation he is to receive.

Speaking when he hosted the leadership of PTD branch of NUPENG, the Army Chief said: “Having resolved the lingering crisis between us and NUPENG, the case involving a tanker driver allegedly arrested by members of the Nigerian Army two years ago and the other issue, a sad situation where a soldier shot a tanker driver, let me say that both the Army and NUPENG should see each other as partners in progress working for the betterment of the country.”

Disclosing that appropriate actions had been taken against those found wanting over the unfortunate incidents, the Army chief said:   “The Nigeria Army is a much disciplined organization and we did not take kindly to the acts of indiscipline committed. The soldier involved has been disciplined, dismissed and handed over to the police for prosecution.

“For the senior officer in Ibadan, he has been queried for the shoddy manner with which he handled the situation and for the Port Harcourt incident, we are not clear yet but the matter is being looked into.”

General Ihejirika disclosed that the army had decided to embark on preventive measures of such incidents in future with the establishment of department for civil/military relationship, noting that the new department will serve as alternative to the Army Public Relations department on such matters.

Explaining how the Army was working to benefit not only Nigerians, but also NUPENG, Ihejirika said the Nigeria Army had commenced an operation to keep the troublesome Benin-Ore- Shagamu road safe from hoodlums and criminals who often make life miserable for road users plying that road, including NUPENG members, saying that explained the reason the Army and NUPENG should continue to work together.

“One of the reasons for delays in the construction of road and other projects in these area is the harassment and kidnapping of construction workers by miscreants and attacks on oil tankers which often affects NUPENG members. This we intend to put a stop to by this action. So you can see that our work is mutual,” he said.

The Army Chief, however, commended the leadership of PTD-NUPENG for the matured manner they handled the issues involved and the manner both parties arrived at the conclusion.

Responding, Chairman of PTD, Mr. Timothy Osadume Obu, expressed appreciation to the army authorities for the amicable resolution of the issues, pointing out that it showed the Nigerian Army was becoming friendlier.

“We did not believe that what is happening today will ever happen. We will go back and tell our people that the army of today is different and that they are disciplined. We now know we have people who can listen and can meet with us to solve problems.

“Before now, for over two years, we were afraid of the Army because of the khaki uniform and what they can do but today, you have showed us a different army. May God bless Nigeria Army,” he concluded.