Former National Chairmen of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch, PTD, have emphasized that the tanker drivers have no intention of breaking away from the umbrella union, NUPENG.
During a solidarity visit to the National Chairman, Mr Augustine Egbon at the PTD- NUPENG National Secretariat in Abuja, John Ossai, a member of the forum, reiterated the support of the former national chairmen and affirmed that NUPENG would continue to play a central role in the affairs of the PTD branch.
Mr Ossai also urged unit chairmen to maintain their cooperation with the national leadership under Egbon.
“We commend the election organized by our mother union, NUPENG, which ushered in the new leadership,” he said, emphasizing the need for all branch units of PTD nationwide to pledge their loyalty to the new leadership.
He stressed that having factions within the union was unwarranted, driven by self-interest, and would not be tolerated.
“NUPENG and PTD are unified; the union is now more cohesive. The PTD will not secede from NUPENG under any circumstance. I appeal to all members to abide by the law and show allegiance to their national chairman and NUPENG. This is the flag we have upheld,” remarked Mr Ossai.
Adding his voice, another forum member, Tijani Zubair, described the new national chairman as a bridge builder and peace maker, expressing confidence in his leadership to address the union’s demands for improved welfare for tanker drivers and better roads for petroleum product haulage.
Mr Zubair cautioned against calls for strikes by aggrieved groups claiming to be a faction, asserting that any strike action would amount to a deliberate attempt to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He urged all union members to embrace peace and work in unison, supporting the new leadership for the common good.
“President Tinubu’s administration requires a peaceful environment for the nation’s progress and attracting investments into Nigeria,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, Egbon expressed gratitude to the forum for the visit and assured that his leadership would continue to strengthen the existing relationship with NUPENG, affirming his commitment to avoid any action that could disrupt peace in the downstream sector of the oil industry.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
