Uche Cecil Izuora
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch (PTD) of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has expressed interest in the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) industry of the Federal Government.
The Union informed the Government that members are key players in the downstream oil and gas sector, but observed their exclusion from the CNG scheme.
The CNG kits are not just for smaller vehicles; tankers also require cheaper fuel alternatives to operate efficiently, they argued, decrying exclusion from the CNG initiative aimed at providing affordable fuel options.
In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of their quarterly National Executive Committee meeting in Benin City, Edo State, the PTD also urged the Federal Government to fulfill its commitments to road rehabilitation and integrate tanker drivers into the CNG disbursement scheme, emphasizing the sector’s critical role in the nation’s petroleum product distribution chain.
The drivers advised Government to ensure urgent commencement of repairs on federal highways and address their exclusion from the ongoing Compressed Natural Gas scheme.
They expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in road projects despite substantial budgetary allocations and criticised the lack of inclusion in the CNG initiative.
The communique signed by the National Chairman, Augustine Egbon, and National Secretary, Oluchi Chinagorom, stated: “We commend the Federal Government for prioritizing 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 union highlighted significant allocations made under the current administration, including N42.4bn approved in June for road variations and N740bn approved in October for the Berger stretch of the Abuja-Kano route.
Additionally, they referenced N621.2bn 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 needing immediate attention, such as 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 spanning Benin-Warri to Port Harcourt.