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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers unit of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (PTD-NUPENG) has urged the Federal Government to ensure that work commences in earnest on the repair of the federal highways, which it has earmarked public funds for their execution across the country.
Besides, the Union expressed disaffection over its exclusion from the ongoing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) scheme of the present administration.
The PTD-NUPENG’s position is part of the resolutions in a communique at the end of its quarterly national executive committee meeting held in Benin, Edo State, at the weekend.
The Federal Government at the end of its Federal Executive Council meetings in June and October this year, announced approval of N42.4 billion and N740 billion, respectively, for the repair of certain federal highways in the country.
A communique signed by Augustine Egbon and Oluchi Chinagorom, national chairman and secretary of the PTD-NUPENG, respectively, urged all the relevant agencies of the Federal Government to take necessary measures to ensure that Nigerians get value for public funds, by insisting that the contractors fix the federal roads before the peak of the rainy season.
“We commend the Federal Government for giving favourable consideration to repair federal highways towards making the roads safer and passable to lessen the burden of transporters, whose source of living depend on quality road networks.
“We recall that the present administration had, in the last one year, earmarked huge public funds to put the federal highways in good shape.
“In June this year, N42.4 billion was approved by the Federal Executive Council, as cost of variation for three federal roads in the country.
“Again, last October, FEC approved N740 billion for the Berger stretch of the Abuja-Kano route.
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“We want to also nudge the memory of Nigerians that under the past administration, specifically in 2021, N621.2 billion was approved for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL) for the reconstruction of 21 federal roads spread across the six geopolitical zones in the country under what was called strategic intervention under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure and Refreshment Tax Credit Scheme.
“Having shown commitment to fix the roads, unlike its predecessor, we urge the Federal Government to walk its talk by pushing the contractors to site before the next rainy season starts.
“Unnecessary delay on the part of the government and contractors could be inimical to the interest of Nigerian commuters and transporters as it would be counter-productive to resort to desperate measures during the rainy season.
“A stitch in time saves nine. We don’t want a situation, where untouchable contractors will abandon the site and be holding government to ransom by demanding for variation of cost.
“We further appeal to the FG to redeem its pledge on the repair of Sagamu-Benin Road, the Makurdi-Katsina-Ala Road, the Kachako-Dambazau Road in Kano State, Yola-Hong-Mubi Road in Adamawa State. Last but not the least are the Okene-Auchi – Benin; Lanai-Agai-Bida.
“Attention must also be given to the East West Road from Benin-Warri to Port Harcourt in deplorable condition.”
Decrying its exclusion from the list of beneficiaries of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) kits, the Union appealed to the relevant Federal Government ministry to integrate it in the disbursement.
“As a player in the downstream oil and gas sector involved in haulage of petroleum products, tanker drivers have been excluded in the CNG scheme.
“There has been no CNG kits for tanker drivers. We can use CNG too to power our tankers. It isn’t only for people using smaller cars. Tankers also need cheaper fuel,” the communique said.
