NNPC assures NUPENG, others funds earmarked for 21 critical roads not diverted

Chidi Samuel| The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on Thursday assured stakeholders (NUPENG, NARTO, and PTD) that the funding earmarked for the 21 critical roads across the country will be applied for the intended purpose only.

The oil giant gave the assurance at a parley to update the stakeholders on the current status of the road construction and rehabilitation projects under the road infrastructure scheme of the federal government.

NUPENG had earlier the week threatened to embark on a nationwide strike following reports that funds earmarked for the project were being diverted by officials in the federal ministry of works.

According to a communique issued at end of the meeting, all parties agreed to work together in monitoring the projects.

The communique is published below…

COMMUNIQUE ON CRIITICAL STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN NARTO, PTD, NUPENG, NMDPRA, AND NNPC LTD ON FEBRUARY 17, 2022 AT NNPC TOWERS

Following the engagement between NMDPRA, NNPC, PTD, NARTO, and NUPENG, the parties resolved as follows:

1. Road Rehabilitation
 NNPC provided updates on the current status of the road construction and rehabilitation projects under the road infrastructure tax credit scheme and assured the stakeholders (NUPENG, NARTO, and PTD) that the funding earmarked for the 21 critical roads will be applied for the intended purpose only.

 To allay the fears of the stakeholders, NNPC and all parties commit to working together in the monitoring of the road projects.

2. Review of freight rate for transporters
 The stakeholders requested for completion of the ongoing discussion on the review of the freight rates to cover operational costs and highlighted the precarious situation that truck owners face in the light of current economic realities.

 NMDPRA informed the meeting that a committee has been constituted to review the rates which includes PTD, NARTO, and NUPENG in addition to other stakeholders.

 All parties agreed to work expeditiously towards concluding the review of the freight rate and make recommendations to the Government. The Authority to advise on definite close-out date during the week of 21st February 2022.

3. Collaboration on ensuring Nationwide availability of petroleum products
 All parties agreed to work closely to ensure efficient distribution of petroleum products across the country.

…………………………………. ………………………………………
Otunba S. A. Oladiti Mr. Yusuf Otthman
National Chairman PTD NARTO President

………………………….……… ……………………………………….
Comrade Williams Akporeha Abiodun Adeniji
NUPENG President ED F&A, NMDPRA

…………………………….
Mele Kolo Kyari
Group Managing Director