NNPC, NUPENG partner on fuel supply

BUSINESS - Following the decision of the Federal Government to deliver 1,120 trucks of fuel (approximately 36million litres of fuel) in the country, the government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has collaborated with the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) to ensure even distribution of the product.

The National Chairman, Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) unit at NUPENG, Comrade Akanni Oladiti, dropped this hint during a chat with The Nation in Lagos at the weekend.

He said the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, initiated the partnership, by inviting the leadership of PTD for a meeting in Abuja on the issue two weeks ago.

He said the meeting discussed modalities on how to distribute fuel in the country, while at the same time, proffering solution to bottlenecks hindering fuel supply nationwide.

Oladiti said: “The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Kachikwu, invited representatives of tanker drivers for meeting recently. Grey areas in the fuel supply chains were identified and we advised the Federal Government on the need to make fuel available in the country. Other issues include timely collection of fuel from depots and making tanker drivers to supply fuel to dealers as at when due. We assured the minister on the readiness of tanker drivers to work weekends and public holidays, provided fuel is available.”

The PTD chief said his union also promised to train drivers on how to drive safely, guarantee the safety of their trucks before taking fuel from the depots and prevent fire disasters, among others.

“Our efforts have paid off, as the PTD has started training its members. About 3,000 drivers are going to be trained nationwide. The country has been divided into four zones namely Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna. While about 1,000 drivers would be trained in Lagos, Ibadan and Ilorin; Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna would train the remaining 2,000 drivers.”