The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday issued a warning to leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) on strike actions.
He said each time there is an issue of concern which needed Federal Government intervention, strike action should be the last available option.
The Minister, who disclosed this during a meeting with the unions in Abuja was reacting to complains of bad roads and abandoned road project including collapsed bridge in Tatabu, Mokwa Council Area, linking Northern and western part of the country.
But he assured that the road project will be completed before December 2018, adding that an alternative road has been constructed pending completion of the project.
He attributed the road problem to severe weather conditions and transportation of excess goods such as iron rods, heavy machineries and high tonnage materials.
Fashola added that prior to the meeting, the ministry had planned to organise a workshop where all issues regarding the sector and other matters of concern to the union was to be discussed.
His words: “These are old friends, associates and partners in progress in the development of Nigeria but let me say very quickly, whenever there is a problem, strike must be the last result, it must not be the first.
“The Tatabu road failed because of age and also ecological factor. Rain fell and it destroyed the bridge. We have seen that in Texas, California, they didn’t go on strike. It was an ecological problem, that is nature.
“We responded. The road is blocked and it was within that period that the contractor had to move in his equipment. He has created a temporary route while reconstructing the bridge. Before end of the year, that bridge will be completed, you will have your way back.”
The Minister noted that the 14 days deadline given by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for the project rehabilitation was ubrea
However, he denied claims of corrupt practices in road projects execution.
Speaking on excessive tonnage, he explained that the issue was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari and has gotten approval such that overloaded vehicles will be denied access to leave loading ports.
“I have written to Mr. President that even from the loading stations, ports, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),we will restrict certain vehicles from being loaded beyond a certain point.
“Mr. President has approved but before we start implementing all of these, we thought we should have a workshop with you so that you know what we want to do,” he said.
Fashola added that the ministry could meet with the union quarterly so as to effectively address all the lingering problems confronting the sector and also present government policies on the sector.
Earlier, NARTO National President, Dr. Kassim Ibrahim lauded the federal government for different road projects across the country.
He further admitted that truck overloading has been a major cause of road damage, aside from poor road design and construction, poor road maintenance and use of low quality materials for construction.
Ibrahim urged the federal government to improve funding to the road sector while encouraging Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to collectively develop the sector.
However, he presented on behalf of both union recommendations to the Minister which include ban on importation of 60,000 liters capacity tanks.
He said trucks of 45, 000 liters should be adopted as maximum capacity to be allowed on roads across the country, adding that all tank manufacturers and fabricators should be warned against construction of truck body above 50,000 litres capacity.
PTD Chairman, Otunba Salimon Oladiti urged the federal government to expedite action on the Mokwa-Jabba roads.
He emphasised need for a palliative measure for the benefit of the truck drivers while the Minister assured of his commitment to call the contractor to action.