The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (PTD-NUPENG) has called on the Federal Government to expedite the repair of federal highways across the country.
The union emphasized the need for urgent action, especially with the rainy season approaching, to ensure that public funds allocated for these projects are effectively utilized.
This demand was part of the resolutions reached during the union’s quarterly National Executive Committee meeting, held in Benin, Edo State, over the weekend.
According to the union, the repair of federal highways is critical to improving road safety and easing the challenges faced by transporters, whose livelihoods depend on accessible road networks.
The Federal Government, during its Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings in June and October this year, approved ₦42.4 billion and ₦740 billion, respectively, for highway repairs.
PTD-NUPENG urged relevant government agencies to ensure contractors commence work promptly to avoid delays that could jeopardize the projects during the peak of the rainy season.
The communiqué, signed by PTD-NUPENG National Chairman Augustine Egbon and National Secretary Oluchi Chinagorom, highlighted specific road projects requiring immediate attention.
These include the Shagamu-Benin road, Makurdi-Katsina-Ala road, Kachako-Dambazua road in Kano State, Yola-Hong-Mubi road in Adamawa State, Okene-Auchi-Benin road, and Lanai-Agai-Bida road. The East-West road from Benin-Warri to Port Harcourt was also singled out as being in a deplorable state.
The union expressed concerns over potential delays by contractors, warning that such inefficiencies could undermine the government’s efforts.
It called for strict oversight to ensure that contractors deliver quality work on time, adding that proactive measures now could prevent complications during the rainy season.
In addition to addressing highway repairs, PTD-NUPENG decried its exclusion from the Federal Government’s ongoing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) scheme.
The union argued that as a key player in the downstream oil and gas sector, its members should be integrated into the initiative.
The communiqué noted that tanker drivers, who haul petroleum products across the country, could benefit from CNG kits to power their vehicles, making fuel more affordable for their operations.
The union appealed to the relevant government ministries to ensure their inclusion in the program, emphasizing that CNG should not be limited to smaller vehicles alone.
The union concluded by urging the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to infrastructure development and inclusivity, ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from ongoing initiatives.
