Petroleum Tanker Drivers Urge FG to Start Highway Repairs, Protest CNG Exclusion

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Federal Government to begin repairs on federal highways that had earlier been earmarked for funding.

This came after the union’s quarterly National Executive Committee meeting in Benin, Edo State, on Saturday.

The union also voiced its dissatisfaction over being excluded from the ongoing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) scheme under the current administration.

The resolutions, outlined in a communique signed by PTD-NUPENG National Chairman Comrade Augustine Egbon and National Secretary Comrade Oluchi Chinagorom, addressed the two primary concerns.

It was recalled that the Federal Government had approved significant funds for federal highway repairs in recent months. In June and October 2024, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) allocated N42.4 billion and N740 billion, respectively, for the repair of key federal roads across the country.

The union called on the relevant federal agencies to ensure that the allocated funds lead to tangible results. It urged that contractors be held accountable for completing road repairs before the onset of the rainy season, as delays could have negative consequences for transporters and commuters.

The union’s resolutions read in part:

“We commend the Federal Government for considering the repair of federal highways to make roads safer, more passable, and reduce the burden on transporters reliant on a quality road network.”

“We recall that the present administration has earmarked large public funds for highway repairs. In June, N42.4 billion was approved for three federal roads, and in October, N740 billion was allocated for the Berger stretch of the Abuja-Kano route.”

“We also remind Nigerians that under the previous administration, N621.2 billion was approved for the reconstruction of 21 federal roads across the six geopolitical zones, as part of the Federal Government’s Road Infrastructure and Refreshment Tax Credit Scheme.”

The union urged the government to ensure that contractors begin work promptly and warned against any delays that could harm the interests of transporters, particularly during the rainy season.

“We don’t want a situation where contractors abandon sites and demand cost variations. We urge the government to push contractors to commence work without delay,” the communique added.

The PTD-NUPENG also appealed to the government to fulfill its pledge to repair specific roads, including the Shagamu-Benin road, Makurdi-Katsina-Ala road, and others, emphasizing the deteriorating condition of the East-West Road from Benin-Warri to Port Harcourt.

In addition, the union expressed discontent over its exclusion from the distribution of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) kits, a scheme aimed at transitioning vehicles to a more affordable fuel source.

“As players in the downstream oil and gas sector, particularly in haulage, tanker drivers have been excluded from the CNG scheme. Tankers also need affordable fuel, and we should be included in the provision of CNG kits,” the union said.

The PTD-NUPENG called on the relevant government ministry to address this exclusion and include tanker drivers in the CNG initiative.