By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A prominent transporter in Oyo State and convener of a pressure group, “Know Your Right”, Kehinde Adebeshin a.k.a “Baba Ibeji” has cautioned the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its Branch, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) not to force the government of Nigeria to see the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as a preferred mobility alternative across the country for lifting Petroleum products.
This surprise call came in the wake of industrial action by the PTD in Lagos State to protest the “persistent harassment” of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers attached to the Task Force and LASTMA officials in Lagos State.
Although the strike has been called off by the Union’s leadership on Wednesday, February 25, 2025; however Adebeshin decried the ripple effects of the hardship the action of PTD had caused Nigerians since Saturday, February 22, 2024, he described the Union’s decision as an act of economic sabotage. He maintained that it was unfortunate and regrettable that the union flagrantly failed to comply with the existing Lagos e-call-up enforcement which was aimed at regulating truck activities and for maintaining orderliness in the already congested metropolis.
Adebeshin blamed PTD and its parent body, NUPENG’s overzealousness and highhandedness on leadership gap, incompetence, lack of tact and administrative indiscretion. He also expressed disappointment on the implications of the strike on Telecom operators who also raised an alarm over an impending service disruption within Lagos and Ogun states, as diesel supply to their service locations were blocked for three consecutive days when the strike was on.
Adebeshin’s statement on Tuesday reads in parts:
“For lack of tact, competence, administrative discretion, and leadership gaps in operations, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its Branch, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have openly given opportunity for the government of Nigeria to see the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as a preferred mobility alternative across the country for lifting Petroleum products and put a total stop to transportation of products through the road.
“The Union must be able to properly measure situations critically before down tooling, unfortunately, NUPENG and PTD have created room for business owners and Nigerians as a whole to label them economic saboteurs who stand the risk of being invited by the DSS. The Union brazenly failed to do its background check whether trucks arrested by Lagos State Task Force and LASTMA officials have not flaunted the existing Lagos e-call-up regulations which was designed to regulate truck activities and for maintaining orderliness in the already congested metropolis. Standing as an encumbrance to the government’s well intentioned program and policy is an affront which should never be tolerated.
“The circular by the Lagos State government to all stakeholders to streamline and regulate truck activities along Lekki-Epe axis of the state, effective March 1, 2025 did not exempt NUPENG or PTD, therefore all violators would be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“NUPENG should note that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has already collaborated with APM Terminals (APMT) to kick start container traffic service on the standard gauge railway, connecting Lagos to the Moniya Freight Yard in Ibadan. This milestone can be replicated in the downstream sector of the Petroleum industry to enhance Petroleum products lifting and distribution activities, and providing a more efficient and convenient mode of transportation and ultimately help to reduce or put into a total halt, petrol tanker accidents which have claimed many lives and destroyed properties.
“It is good news to hear that NUPENG had eventually swallowed its pride by calling off the 3-day strike, they should engage more in peaceful dialogue with the government of Lagos State in the larger interest of Nigeria so as to foster symbiotic industrial harmony and prosperity. The Union should also try to fix the PTD leadership crisis in the nick of time and give room for people with vision, experience and positive direction to take charge of the PTD Branch and restore its old glory and dignity,” he said.