The umbrella body of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) has raised the alarm over alleged misappropriation of N621 billion
Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme by some government officials in collaboration with politicians.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, National Chairrman, PTD, Comrade Salmon Akanni Oladiti said his union has uncovered attempts by some State Government, officials and politicians to misappropriate the funds for roads and divert same to projects other than the ones approved by the Federal Executive Council.
“Unfortunately, and to our greatest shocks, we heard it from very reliable sources that some vultures in the garbs of being state governments, officials of Ministry of Works and Housing and Politicians are already depleting these funds and misappropriating them on roads and projects not intended in the agreement as approved by the Federal Executive Council”.
The N621b funds which is to be raised by Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited for the repairs of 21 federal roads across Nigeria has since received the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
The union said it was shocked by the political schemings and considered the move as ” broad daylight robbery”.
The union warned that it will stop at nothing to expose those involved in the shady deals in its efforts to ensure that every bit of the approved funds is accounted for.
“This is an open day robbery, but we are assuring all and sundry, that our Union will go to all lengths to expose these unscrupulous individuals”.
“Every kobo of the approved fund must be accounted for and we must see and broadcast the pre and post rehabilitation of all the identified 21 federal road to the whole nation.
“Tax payers’ money must be accounted for. We urge every patriotic Nigerians to rise up and join us in this struggle, this is not a fight for NUPENG alone, it is our collective fight.”
The union had in September 2021 raised serious concern about the deplorable state of federal highways in the country and issued a stern ultimatum, calling on
overnment to fix the identified roads.
A quick intervention by NNPC at a meeting with other critical stakeholders including FIRS, FRSC, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners and PTD was enough to halt the intended strike.
“You will also recall, that to avert the situation of industrial action of the Union, the management of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation apprehended the situation by calling the leadership of the Union for two separate meetings the 10th of October 2021 in Ibadan and 12th October 2021 in Abuja.”
With the seeming inability of the government and its relevant agencies to meet with their own end of the bargain, the union said it will not hesitate to embark on its shelved industrial action to drive home its demands.
