While recent disagreements have caused turmoil in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, a more subdued fight is coming from the country’s gas pumps: the fight for fair compensation, dignity, and respect.
Despite being the crucial final link in Nigeria’s oil distribution network, attendants, cleaners, security officers, and station managers nationwide have denounced what they call years of “neglect and exploitation” under the banner of Concerned Petrol Station Workers (CPSWs).
According to several of those our reporter spoke with, given Nigeria’s current economic situation, the pitiful pay they receive from their various Patrol Stations is “grossly inadequate.”One of the fuel attendants on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway in Kaduna, who wished to remain anonymous to avoid being singled out, stated that she was only making N20,000 a month because she was unable to find another employment. “I’m only making N20,000 a month because I have no other choice,” he added. However, consider what N20,000 could buy you in this nation,” she continued.
“Most of us trek a long distance to work every day, just to survive on the N25,000 per month,” said another Tudun Wada pump attendant, who said that the low wage has made life difficult for him.
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