The union of petroleum tanker drivers has threatened to proceed on strike over the poor state of roads, fuelling fears of worsening the existing fuel scarcity across the country.
They alleged that some persons are already stealing part of the N621billion Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme voted to fix 21 critical roads across the country.
The National Chairman, Comrade Salmon Akanni, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, vowing that members of the association would proceed on strike at a short notice if the government fails to urgently put the roads in order.
He recalled that the end of the quarterly Branch Executive Council meeting of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers at PTD House, Emene, Enugu on the 25th of September 2021, the Union issued a firm and decisive ultimatum on the deplorable state of the federal highways and the painful experiences of members while carrying out their duties across the country.
He added that to avert industrial action of the Union, the management of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation intervened by calling the leadership of the Union for two separate meetings on October 10, 2021 in Ibadan and October 12, 2021 in Abuja.
The PTD boss said: “These two meetings resulted into signing of communique indicating the readiness and willingness of NNPC to finance the rehabilitation of identified 21 critical roads at an estimated sum of N621 Billion through Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.
“On the basis of this communique, we suspended the intended industrial action but with a very clear warning, that should the spirit and letter of the agreement not fully implemented with focus on those jointly identified critical roads, the Union will not hesitate to resume the intended actions without further warning.”
According to him, there may be no further consultation with the Federal government before the association calls its members out on strike.
“Every kobo of the approved fund must be accounted for and we must see and broadcast the pre and post rehabilitation of all the identified 21 federal road to the whole nation. tax payers’ money must be accounted for.”
– Media Report