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By Adewale Sanyaolu
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch (PTD), of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has expressed displeasure over the exclusion of its members from the CNG scheme aimed at providing cheaper fuel options.
The Union informed the Federal Government through the implementation agency- Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative(PCNGi) that its members play a critical role in the transportation value chain.
They argued that the CNG kits are not just for smaller vehicles and buses, saying tankers also require cheaper fuel alternatives to operate efficiently.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its quarterly National Executive Committee meeting held in Benin City, Edo State, recently, the PTD also urged the Federal Government integrate tanker drivers into the CNG disbursement scheme, emphasising the sector’s critical role in the nation’s petroleum product distribution chain.
The communiqué signed by the National Chairman, Augustine Egbon, and National Secretary, Oluchi Chinagorom, advised Government to urgently address their exclusion from the ongoing CNG scheme aimed at providing cheaper fuel options.
On roads rehabilitation, the drivers’ commended the Federal Government for prioritising the repair of federal highways to make them safer and reduce the burden on transporters.
However, it urged immediate action to ensure contractors are mobilised before the peak of the rainy season.
The union highlighted significant allocations made under the current administration, including N42.4 billion approved in June for road variations and N740 billion approved in October for the Berger stretch of the Abuja-Kano route.
Additionally, they referenced N621.2 billion approved in 2021 under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.
“Having shown a commitment to fixing roads, unlike its predecessor, we urge the Federal Government to walk its talk. Unnecessary delays could lead to complications during the rainy season. A stitch in time saves nine,” the communiqué emphasised.
The PTD-NUPENG listed critical federal roads requiring immediate attention to include; Shagamu-Benin road, Makurdi-Katsina-Ala road, Kachako-Dambazua road in Kano, Yola-Hong-Mubi road in Adamawa, Okene-Auchi-Benin road, Lanai-Agai-Bida road, and the East-West road spanning Benin-Warri to Port Harcourt.
