IN the the interest and welfare of the people, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has urged Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PT) to call off its plan to embark on strike.
The strike action set to commence tomorrow is in protest of the condition of roads in various parts which are used for the distribution of goods and services including petroleum products.
In a statement today by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen Muhammad, today, the NNPC said even though it was not its responsibility to build or rehabilitate roads, any disruption in the distribution of petroleum products to different parts of Nigeria would adversely affect the business and endanger energy security, which the country had enjoyed for a long time now.
It said in recognition of that, it wished to assure the petroleum tanker drivers that in addition to the ongoing efforts by other agencies of government, the NNPC had initiated a process that would provide a quick and effective solution to the roads network challenges as expressed by the PTD.
“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 thrust of the NNPC’s intervention is to make considerable funds available for the reconstruction of roads through it 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,” the statement reads in part.
NNPC added: “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 season and beyond.”
