THE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has called on the Federal Government to intensify its fight against oil theft, expressing concerns over an apparent slowdown in efforts to curb pipeline vandalism and oil theft.
Speaking at the last quarter meeting of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the union in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, President of NUPENG, Prince Williams Akporeha, criticized the government’s exclusion of oil workers from the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme.
According to Prince Akporeha, “it is disheartening that the Federal government is reducing the tempo against pipeline vandals and oil theft at a time when the fight should be intensified. We are worried and concerned about this apparent slowdown in curtailing oil theft and smuggling activities while we continue our task of petroleum distribution across the country.”
He highlighted the role of NUPENG task forces stationed along petroleum distribution routes, noting their collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other security agencies. Despite the lack of government recognition, Akporeha emphasized the commitment of these task forces to safeguarding the nation’s economic lifeline. “The non-recognition by the government should not deter us as patriotic citizens. If nothing else, posterity will be kind to us because we don’t have any other country than Nigeria. It is our duty, especially as tanker drivers, to continue supporting efforts to grow our economy and address threats to our nation’s economic survival,” he said.
The NUPENG President also lamented the harsh operating conditions faced by tanker drivers, including the exorbitant cost of diesel (AGO) used to power their trucks and the challenges posed by insecurity and poor road infrastructure.
“It is demoralizing that the Federal Government did not consider NUPENG in the CNG programme. We just cannot understand it. If it was an oversight, it should be corrected as soon as possible,” Akporeha added.
He urged the government to address these concerns urgently, stressing the critical role NUPENG members play in sustaining the nation’s energy supply chain.
