The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (PTD- NUPENG) has urged the Federal Government to ensure that work commences in earnest on the repair of federal highways which it has earmarked public funds for their execution.

The Union also expressed dissafection over its exclusion from the ongoing Compressed Natural Gas ( CNG) scheme of the present administration.

The PTD- NUPENG took the resolutions in a communique issued at the end of its quarterly National Executive Committee meeting held in Benin, Edo state capital at the weekend.

Findings revealed that the Federal Government at the end of its Federal Executive Council meetings held in June and October announced approval for the sum of N42.4 billion and ?740 billion, respectively for repair of certain federal highways in the country.

In a communique signed by Comrades Augustine Egbon and Oluchi Chinagorom, National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively of the PTD-NUPENG, they urged all the relevant federal agencies of government to take necessary measures to ensure that Nigerians get the value for the public funds, by insisting that the contractors fix the federal roads before the peak of the rainy season.

The Union resolutions read in part:”We commend the Federal Government for giving favourable consideration to repair of federal highways towards making the roads safer, passable and lessen the burden of transporters whose source of living depend on the quality road network.

“We recall that the present administration had in the last year earmarked huge public funds to put the federal highways in good shape.

“In June this year, a total sum of N42.4 billion was approved by the Federal Executive Council, as the cost of variation for three federal roads in the country.

“Again, last October, FEC approved ?740 billion for the Berger stretch of the Abuja-Kano route.

“We want to also nudge the memory of Nigerians that under the past administration, specifically in 2021, the sum of N621.2bn was approved for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, ( NNPCL) to use for the reconstruction of 21 federal roads, spread across the six geopolitical zones in the country under what was called strategic intervention under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure and Refreshment Tax Credit Scheme.

“Having shown commitment to fix the roads, unlike its predecessor, we urge the Federal Government to walk its talks by pushing the contractors to the site before the commencement of the rainy season.

“Unnecessary delay on the part of government and contractors could be inimical to the interest of Nigerian commuters and transporters as it would be counter-productive to resort to desperate measures during the rainy season.

“A stitch in time saves nine. We don’t want a situation where untouchable contractors will abandon the site and be holding the government to ransom by demanding for variation of cost.

“We further appeal to FG to redeem its pledge on the repair of the Shagamu-Benin road, the Makurdi-Katsina-Ala road, the Kachako-Dambazua road in Kano State, Yola-Hong-Mubi road in Adamawa State. Last but not least are the Okene – Auchi – Benin; Lanai-Agai-Bida.

“Attention must also be given to the East-West road from Benin-Warri to Port Harcourt in deplorable condition.”

The Union which decried its exclusion from the list of beneficiaries of Compressed Natural Gas ( CNG) kits further appealed to the relevant FG Ministry to integrate it in the disbursement.

“As a player in the downstream oil and gas sector. Involved in the haulage of petroleum products, tanker drivers have been excluded in the CNG scheme.

“There has been no CNG kits for tanker drivers. We can use CNG too to power our tankers. It isn’t only for people using smaller cars. Tankers also need cheaper fuel.” (Sunday Tribune)