Tanker drivers issue nationwide strike notice over bad roads

Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), which is a branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG), has issued an October 8 nationwide strike to the federal government to address three key pending issues.

The issues are deplorable federal roads across the country, petroleum trucks safety valves, and abuse of tonnage capacity by oil marketers and transporters.

Members had earlier scheduled a nationwide strike on March 27, 2021 but had to shelve the action after pleading and assurances by the government that the issues would be addressed.

However, seven months later, the issues have remained unresolved and unattended to by the federal government.

In a communique issued at the end of its Branch Executive Council, BEC, Meeting in Enugu, members resolved to begin a work-to-rule action from September 27.

A work-to-rule is a form of protest where workers go to work putting on unusual attire (black or red) or carrying leaves as a form of protest.

In the communique by national chairman of PTD, Otunba Salmon Akanni Oladiti, said: “Council in session observed with grave concerns and disappointment the deplorable and shameful conditions of the Nigeria highways in spite of several calls and threats we have issued to the various layers of governments.”

“These highways have turned to death traps and dens of trucks highjackers for the Petroleum Tanker Drivers. Our members are losing their lives and sources of livelihood on an hourly basis,” said the national chairman.

“The list of these highways are endless and petroleum tanker drivers have been going through harrowing situations even while rendering selfless national services, to ensure delivery of petroleum products to homes and factories in every nook and cranny of this country, day and night, in good and bad weather,” he added.

On truck’s safety valves, the communique said: “The Branch Executive Council in session reviewed with sadness, pain and deep worry, the suspension of the ultimatum issued by the Branch Executive Council on the March 27, 2021 over the increasing rate of fire incidences involving petroleum trucks with accompanying massive destruction of lives and properties of our members and general public.”

The council in session noted with deep concern the refusal of the federal government to enforce the compulsory installation of the safety valve in all petroleum trucks to protect the inflammable contents of these trucks from spilling over in a situation of road mishaps: “For the record again, it’s in the well-informed opinion of the council in session that this safety if installed in petroleum trucks will go a long way in reducing the rate of fire accidents involving petroleum trucks.”

The letter added: “All petroleum tanker drivers are directed to immediately embark on work-to-rule action with effect from September 27, 2021, in preparation for total withdrawal of their services with effect from October 8, 2021 if the federal government fails to address these three key safety measures, especially in view of the fact that our members are usually the first casualties in all these areas of government failures with regard to safety of lives and properties of Nigerians.”