NNPC engages petroleum tanker drivers, NARTO, FIRS, others on industry issues

*The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation discloses the stakeholders have agreed on a framework for the Corporation’s intervention in critical road rehabilitation through the Federal Government Tax Credit Scheme, to enable unhindered movement of trucks for distribution of petroleum products nationwide

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As a follow-up to its recent efforts at sustaining smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide during the festive period and beyond, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has engaged critical stakeholders in order to find lasting solutions to the road network challenges and other lingering issues.

ConsumerConnect had reported that following NNPC’s intervention at the weekend, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) arm of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) suspended their planned strike.

The NNPC noted that the workers instead accepted the dialogue option proposed by the Corporation, a development it stated has sustained smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.

Mr. Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, in a statement issued Wednesday, October 13, 2021, in Abuja, FCT, said Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Corporation, Tuesday, October 12, took a decisive step towards actualisation of his promise as he hosted a major stakeholders’ meeting at the NNPC Towers, Abuja.

The statement disclosed the NNPC, Petroleum Tanker Drivers, National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) attended the meeting.

According to Muhammad, the NNPC Chief said stakeholders had agreed on a framework for the Corporation’s intervention in critical road rehabilitation through the Federal Government Tax Credit Scheme.

Malam Kyari said: “We are committed to utilising the Federal Government’s Tax Credit Scheme to rebuild some of the affected roads in line with Mr. President’s Executive Order 7.

“Upon our fruitful deliberations today (Tuesday), the NNPC has pledged to support the PTD and NARTO in carrying out quick intervention fixes on some strategic bad spots identified to enable unhindered movement of trucks for transportation of petroleum products nationwide.”

The NNPC stated the Road Trust Fund Policy/Tax Credit Scheme, established under the Federal Government’s Executive Order 7 of 2019, gives private sector operators an opportunity to fund critical infrastructure with the Nigerian Government.

“Stakeholders also agreed to enforce mandatory installation of safety valves in all petroleum product trucks in the country effective February 1, 2022, with full commitment given by NARTO,” the statement said.

The Corporation’s Spokesman also stated the stakeholders’ meeting also frowned on the abuse of axle load or tonnage limits, with the NNPC agreeing to engage the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for enforcement of preventing the importation of tanks that exceed 45,000 litres capacity into the country.