The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have disclosed that the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) will from Monday embark on strike over the deplorable condition of the nation’s highways and other issues.
Penpushing reports that the South-West Zonal Chairman of the union, Tayo Aboyeji made this known, lamenting that the union has lost many lives and properties as a result of the bad roads, stressing that all tankers would withdraw their services nationwide.
“This is not the first time that we will signify our intention to go on strike but we have to call it off because it will generally affect majority of Nigerians but now our hands are tied. We are going on nationwide strike because of the deplorable and shameful state of our highways’, he emphasised.
“When a truck loads petrol in Lagos, the drivers spend five to six days to get to Abuja because of the shameful state of the roads. All calls by the executive of petroleum unions have fallen on the deaf ears of the government as the highways continue to deteriorate nationwide’, he added.
“The list of the highway (sic) are endless and the tanker drivers have been going through harrowing situation while rendering selfless national service. The increase(d) rate of fire incidences involving petroleum tankers with accompanying massive destruction of lives and properties of our members and general public is enough’, Aboyeji stated
“This is because of government failure to enforce installation of safety gadget on tanker. This will protect the inflammation contents of their trucks from spilling over in a situation of road accident’.
“We see the failure of the government in this regards as height of insensitivity to lives of innocent Nigerians and union cannot continue to hold its hands while our members are getting burnt everywhere and everyday,” he declared
Penpushing further reports that, Aboyeji pointed out that the leadership of the union and members are not happy with the unscrupulous abuse of tonnage, pointing out that there are some trucks that carry 60,000 litres to 100,000 litres on the highway
“There are some trucks that carry 60,000 litres to 100,000 litres on the highway. This load has a negative effect and impact on the safety and control of drivers on the wheel as well as durability and sustainability of the highway. The unions do not want any truck to carry more than the approved capacity,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that, the zonal chairman of the union said the body had given notice to the government to put all these in order to avert the nationwide strike on Monday, but pointed out that, its doubtful if the government the address the isuue, until when they embark on the strike
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
