(Ecofin Agency) - The Nigerian oil tanker drivers have called off a strike action initiated on Monday over non-payment of salaries and poor road conditions. The strike was called off following government intervention to put an end to threats by the workers to stop supply.

“The union called off the strike because the federal government has intervened and promised to look into the drivers’ demands,” said Charles Eleto, a regional chairman for the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

The head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru, in a meeting with the President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese, on Monday agreed to increase the transportation fees of the workers. A week ago, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) division of NUPENG announced plans to commence a nationwide strike from Monday.

This aimed to bring the government and other stakeholders’ attention to some issues related to the welfare of workers. These issues include bad roads, poor wages, insecurity as well as the alleged harassment by security officials.

Anita Fatunji