(Ecofin Agency) - In Lagos, oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have decided to postpone a strike that many feared might result in fuel scarcity and disrupt crude production in the country.

The strike by about 10,000 members of PENGASSAN, including refinery workers and office staff, started last week Thursday concerning issues related to the oil sector reforms and pay.

According to a petroleum ministry and state oil company officials, an agreement to call off the strike was arrived at following talks that ended in the early hours of Wednesday, Reuters reports.

The leaders of PENGASSAN, met with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Emmanuel Kachikwu as the industrial action has reduced loading at Apapa oil depot, due to the absences of staff of the Petroleum Equalization Fund Board (PEF), which endorses the trucks being used by Independent Marketers.

Anita Fatunji