- Promises to help government build more roads
- Cautions against panic buying
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has called on petroleum tanker drivers to, in the interest and welfare of the Nigerian people, call off its planned industrial action.
The tanker drivers threatened to go on strike over the condition of roads in various parts of the country which are used for the distribution of goods and services including petroleum products.
However, though it is not the responsibility of the NNPC to build or rehabilitate roads, the Corporation, nevertheless, reminded the aggrieved drivers that any disruption in the distrubution of petroleum products to different parts of Nigeria will adversely affect the business of the NNPC and endanger energy security.
A statement by Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, on Sunday assured the petroleum tanker drivers that in addition to ongoing efforts by other agencies of government, the NNPC had initiated a process that will provide a quick and effective solution to the roads network challenges.
“Having recognised that the major reason slowing down the rehabilitation of the road networks in the country is the paucity of funds, the NNPC has expressed interest to invest in the reconstruction of select Federal roads under the Federal Government’s Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Task Credit Scheme,” the statement said.
“The thrust of the NNPC’s intervention is to make considerable funds available for the reconstruction of roads through its Future Tax Liability.
“NNPC as a responsible corporate entity recognises the legitimate concerns of the PTD, we however appeal to the leadership and members to reconsider their decision in the overall national interest.
“Accordingly, we urge PTD to immediately call off the strike notice and give the current efforts by government and its agencies a chance to solve the challenges in the interest of all.
“We also wish to strongly advice Nigerians not to engage in panic buying of petroleum products as the NNPC has sufficient stock to last through this festive seasond and beyond,” the statement concluded.”