NOGASA resumes petroleum product supply to telecoms sector

By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) has directed its members to resume the supply of petroleum products to telecom tower managers, IHS, following talks with the Federal Government.

The group had earlier in the week suspended product supply to the telecommunications sector over mounting debts.

Speaking on Saturday, the National President of NOGASA, Mr. Bennett Korie, said the group was suspending its action for seven days to allow the government time to resolve the issue.

Korie said: “Following the interventions of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Communications Commission (NCC) and their assurances that the matter that led to the withdrawal of our services will be resolved amicably with effect from Monday, the 11th of August, 2025, in the interest of energy security and Nigerians at large, we hereby resolve to resume our services immediately at the affected depots.

“The NEC of NOGASA resolved at the meeting that started at 8:30 this morning, 9th August, 2025, to suspend our withdrawal of services for seven days to IHS. However, if the matter is not resolved within the seven days, we will resume the withdrawal of our services effectively without further notice.

“All suppliers are hereby directed to resume their business with IHS immediately, if possible 24 hours round-the-clock services to make up for lost time,” he stated.

He clarified that the National Union of (NUPENG) was not part of the industrial dispute, adding that the union was only concerned about the safety of its members.

IHS had alleged that the two members of NOGASA misappropriated the diesel meant for the services of telecom base stations.

The umbrella body of the Association of Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) in a statement by its Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, said such disputes should be resolved with dialogue and not brigandage or brute force.

He said: “We have received credible reports that members of NUPENG and NOGASA, on Tuesday, blocked access to diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko (Delta State), preventing the distribution of diesel to thousands of telecommunications sites operated by one of our key members, IHS Towers.

“This action, reportedly stemming from allegations by IHS of diesel misappropriation against two member companies of NOGASA and which is being investigated by requisite authorities, has resulted in a critical threat to the operation of some of the 16,000 telecommunications sites nationwide, servicing Mobile Network Operators.

“These sites not only power mobile and internet services for millions of Nigerians, but also support essential services such as banking transactions, hospital communications, emergency response systems, and national security operations.”

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