…Says all its union tanker drivers would withdraw their services
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG), has announced that its Petroleum Tanker Drivers, (PTD), will commence strike on Monday over the deplorable state of the nation’s highways and other issues.
The South-west Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, Tayo Aboyeji, in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said the union has lost many lives and properties due to bad roads.
“We are going on nationwide strike because of the deplorable and shameful state of our highways.
According to him, “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.
“The list of the highway are endless and the tanker drivers have been going through the harrowing situation while rendering selfless national service”.
“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 the majority of Nigerians but now our hands are tied”, he further stated.
The zonal chairman said the union is not happy with the unscrupulous abuse of tonnage.
“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 the durability and sustainability of the highway.
“The unions do not want any truck to carry more than the approved capacity.
Aboyeji said the union had given notice to the government “to put all these in order to avert the nationwide strike on Monday”, he further said.
