The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Federal Government to address the poor state of federal highways and its exclusion from the ongoing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) scheme.
In a communiqué issued after their quarterly National Executive Committee meeting in Benin City, Edo State, the union expressed frustration over the continued delays in critical road repairs, despite significant budget allocations. They also criticised their exclusion from the CNG initiative, which aims to provide affordable fuel alternatives to reduce costs for transporters.
The communiqué, signed by National Chairman Augustine Egbon and National Secretary Oluchi Chinagorom, acknowledged the government’s commitment to road repairs but urged for immediate action to mobilise contractors before the peak of the rainy season. “We commend the Federal Government for prioritising the repair of federal highways to make them safer and reduce the burden on transporters. However, we urge immediate action to ensure contractors are mobilised before the peak of the rainy season,” the statement read.
The union highlighted key budget allocations, including N42.4 billion approved in June for road variations and N740 billion approved in October for the repair of the Berger stretch of the Abuja-Kano route. They also referenced N621.2 billion allocated 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 also listed several critical federal roads in urgent need of attention, including the 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 from Benin-Warri to Port Harcourt.
In addition to road issues, the union expressed concern over its exclusion from the CNG scheme, which aims to provide affordable fuel alternatives for vehicles. “Tanker drivers, as key players in the downstream oil and gas sector, have been excluded from the CNG scheme. CNG kits are not just for smaller vehicles; tankers also require cheaper fuel alternatives to operate efficiently,” the communiqué stated.
The PTD-NUPENG concluded with a call for the Federal Government to fulfil its commitments to road rehabilitation and integrate tanker drivers into the CNG scheme, stressing the vital role of tanker drivers in the nation’s petroleum product distribution network. The union’s demands reflect the sector’s ongoing struggles with poor infrastructure and rising operational costs, which they argue could be mitigated with the right interventions.
