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PTD– NUPENG commends FG efforts to repair roads, stability in supply of petroleum products
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch, PTD, Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG has commended the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s renewed commitment to ensure motorable federal highways across the country.
The Union said, it was optimistic that repairs and reconstruction of roads across the nation would stabiise fuel supply and distribution across the nation.
The PTD NUPENG gave the commendation as part of its resolutions at the end of its National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting held in PortHarcourt, Rivers State capital over the weekend.
In a communique issued and sent to CAPITAL POST on Monday by Comrades Augustine Egbon and Oluchi Chinagorom, National Chairman and National Secretary of the Union, respectively noted that the commendation was sequel to recent approval of 13 roads projects across the country by the Federal Executive Council at the end of its meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The union said, the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt, the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road, 300km Benin-Akure-Ilesha, rehabilitation of Aba-Owerri, Mubi- Maiduguri road section,
amongst others are strategic to equitable distribution fuel across the country as tankers could move with ease.
The PTD- NUPENG noted that the rehabilitation of the roads would go a long way to ensure safety of its members on the highways and ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products from the Depots to the retail outlets.
” We recall that our agitations and several interventions to ensure that the last administration put the federal highways in good shape only fell on deaf ears.
“The effects of the bad shape of the highways were accidents, leading to loss of lives of our members and their trucks, their only means of livelihood.
” We can’t but express our satisfaction that the present administration is already taking positive steps to meet some of our grievances. We implore the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure that the contractors move to sites, timely and give Nigerians the value for the public funds being spent by the federal government to put the roads in good shape.”
The Union however appealed to the federal government to equally give consideration to the rehabilitation of the Calabar – Itu Federal Highway as it noted that the present deplorable condition of the road is a big hindrance to movement of petroleum tankers.
The NEC of the PTD- NUPENG equally commended recent initiative to ensure stability in the supply of petroleum products.
“Lifting of products at the Depots have increased, substantially and it is a big relief for our members. The National chairman Comrade Augustine Egbon appeal to the federal government to live up to its assurance to revive the nation four refineries to function optimally.”
The PTD- NUPENG expressed concern over what it described as the high-handedness of a Task Force put in place by the office of the Inspector General of Police,Kayode Egbetokun, aimed at preventing movement of adulterated petroleum products.
“We wish to bring to the attention of the IGP that his men have been impounding petroleum tankers, almost indiscriminately even when the drivers provide incontrovertible evidence of the genuine source of such products and loading depots.
“A good example is the recent incidence on Funtua- Kaduna road. For almost two months now, the IGP Task Force has not released the tanker even when it has been discovered that the product being conveyed was not adulterated. We are appealing to the office of the IGP to ensure the release of the tanker.”
The Union in its resolutions also passed vote of confidence in its national officers. The communique declared that it was satisfied with the recent efforts by the national secretariat in colloboration with units and Zonal officers to guarantee decent living wage for members.
It urged the national executive to sustain its initiative on training and re-training of the truck drivers.
Investigation revealed that the PTD- NUPENG national officers under the leadership of Comrade Egbon were elected at a special delegates conference held last July.
Also present at the quarterly meeting was the National President of NUPENG, Comerade Williams Akporeha, Rivers State Director of DSS represented by his Deputy Director, State commission er of police represented by his Assistant Comisioner of police National President of IPMAN among other dignitaries from the oil and gas sector..
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, has commended his principal for assenting to South West and South – South Development Commissions Bills as well as the Nigeria Anti – Doping Bill 2025.
Senator Lado who made the commendation in a personally signed statement, described presidential assets to the bills as monumental milestone and testament to visionary leadership and national progress.
The statement reads: “I extend my warmest congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for yet another historic achievement his decisive and visionary assent to the South-West Development Commission Bill, the South-South Development Commission Bill, and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025.
“These landmark legislations are a clear reflection of President Tinubu’s relentless commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse.
“His Excellency has once again demonstrated that leadership is not merely about policies—it is about impact, legacy, and a deep-rooted dedication to uplifting every citizen.
“By signing into law the establishment of the South-West and South-South Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence.
Building on the foundation of his earlier assent to the South-East and North -West Development Commissions, it is evident that President Tinubu is deliberate in bringing development across all regions.
“These commissions will serve as catalysts for industrial growth, job creation, and social advancement—ensuring that every corner of Nigeria benefits from his administration’s progressive vision. This is the mark of a true statesman—one who understands that a nation’s strength lies in its ability to uplift all regions without bias.
“In the same vein, the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025 is yet another bold step that solidifies Nigeria’s commitment to fairness, excellence, and integrity in global sports.
“President Tinubu has once again positioned Nigeria as a nation of high ethical standards, ensuring that our athletes compete on the world stage with honor and credibility. By domesticating the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports, his administration has safeguarded the future of Nigerian sports, protecting our athletes from unfair practices while reinforcing our global reputation as a country that upholds integrity.
“This momentous occasion underscores President Tinubu’s unmatched leadership—one that is proactive, decisive, and deeply attuned to the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
His ability to enact groundbreaking policies that foster unity, drive economic prosperity, and elevate our international standing speaks volumes of his unwavering dedication to national transformation”.
News
BREAKING: Key contact details missing in petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has acknowledged receiving a petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District but noted that key contact details of the petitioners were missing.
In a press release signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission stated that the petition was submitted with six bags of documents containing signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, the covering letter only provided a general location, “Okene, Kogi State,” without a specific address or multiple contact numbers as required by INEC’s regulations.
INEC emphasized that the recall process is guided by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall.
The commission assured that once the petition meets all requirements, it will proceed with verifying the signatures using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in an open process involving petitioners, observers, and the media.
INEC is currently making efforts to reach the petitioners through other means and urged the public to disregard speculation on social media regarding the recall process.
News
Natasha’s case to be assigned to another Judge as Egwuatu recuse himself, citing Akpabio’s petition
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has recused himself from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case citing a petition by lawyers to Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The case bothered on suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udughan from the Senate for six months, but a dramatic twist to it Justice Egwuatu who is presiding over the matter on Tuesday recused himself and ordered that the cas file be sent to the Chief Justice for reassignment.
The trial judge based his decision on a petition the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, wrote to challenge his objectivity in the matter.
Though the suit was originally fixed for hearing, however, when the matter was called up by the court’s clerk, Justice Egwuatu announced his decision in a short ruling he delivered.
He said the case-file would be returned to the Chief Judge for a reassignment to another judge.
It will be recalled that Justice Egwuatu had on March 4, issued an interim order that stopped the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from going ahead with the disciplinary proceeding that was initiated against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over an allegation that she flouted rules of the legislative house.
He held that the disciplinary process should be placed on hold, pending the determination of the suit that was brought before him by the embattled female lawmaker.
More so, Justice Egwuatu gave defendants in the matter, 72 hours to show cause why it should not issue an order of interlocutory injunction to stop them from probing the plaintiff for alleged misconduct, without affording her the privileges stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
He granted permission for the plaintiff to serve the Originating Summons and all the accompanying processes on all the defendants, through substituted means.
It held that they should be served by handing the processes to the Clerk of the National Assembly or by pasting them on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing same in two national dailies.
The interim orders followed an ex-parte application and an affidavit of urgency that was brought before the court by the lawmaker.
However, despite the orders of the court, the Senate Committee held its sitting and slammed the plaintiff with a six months suspension.
Following an application by the defendants, Justice Egwuatu subsequently amended the interim order he issued in favour of the plaintiff, by vacating the aspect that barred the Senate from undertaking any activity within the pendency of the suit.
The Senate President had through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, queried the powers of the court to meddle in the affairs of the Senate.
Kano residents benefit from Fidelity Food Bank initiative
Lado commends President Tinubu for assenting to South-South, South West Commission bills
BREAKING: Key contact details missing in petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – INEC
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