Economy
NNPC pleads as Tanker Drivers set to embark on strike over deplorable roads
Aboyeji said that all tanker drivers from the union would withdraw their services nationwide.
“This is not the first time that we will signify our intention to go on strike but we have to call it off because it will generally affect the majority of Nigerians but now our hands are tied.
“We are going on nationwide strike because of the deplorable and shameful state of our highways.
“When a truckloads petrol in Lagos, the drivers spend five to six days to get to Abuja because of the shameful state of the roads.
“All calls by the executive of petroleum unions have fallen on the deaf ears of the government as the highways continue to deteriorate nationwide.
“The list of the highway are endless and the tanker drivers have been going through the harrowing situation while rendering selfless national service.
“The increased rate of fire incidences involving petroleum tankers with accompanying massive destruction of lives and properties of our members and the general public is enough.
“This is because of government failure to enforce installation of safety gadgets on tankers.
“This will protect the inflammation contents of their trucks from spilling over in a situation of a road accident.
“We see the failure of the government in this regard as height of insensitivity to lives of innocent Nigerians and the union cannot continue to hold its hands while our members are getting burnt everywhere and every day,” he said.The zonal chairman said the union is not happy with the unscrupulous abuse of tonnage.
“There are some trucks that carry 60,000 litres to 100,000 litres on the highway.
“This load has a negative effect and impact on the safety and control of drivers on the wheel as well as durability and sustainability of the highway.
“The unions do not want any truck to carry more than the approved capacity,” he said.
Aboyeji said the union had given notice to the government to put all these in order to avert the nationwide strike on Monday.
“We know that the present administration would not do anything until we start the nationwide strike,” he said.
“However, even though it is not the responsibility of the NNPC to build or rehabilitate roads, any disruption in the distribution of petroleum products to different parts of Nigeria will adversely affect the business of the NNPC and endanger energy security, which the country has enjoyed for a long time now.
“In recognition of this, the NNPC wishes to assure the Petroleum Tanker Drivers that in addition to the ongoing efforts by other agencies of government, the NNPC has initiated a process that will provide a quick and effective solution to the roads network challenges as expressed by the PTD.
“Having recognised that the major reason slowing down the rehabilitation of the road networks in the country is the paucity of funds, the NNPC has expressed interest to invest in the reconstruction of select Federal roads under the Federal Government’s Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Task Credit Scheme.
“The thrust of the NNPC’s intervention is to make considerable funds available for the reconstruction of roads through it Future Tax Liability.
“NNPC as a responsible corporate entity recognises the legitimate concerns of the PTD, however, appeal to the leadership and members to reconsider their decision in the overall national interest.
“Accordingly, we urge PTD to immediately call off the strike notice and give the current efforts by government and its agencies a chance to solve the challenges in the interest of all.
“We also wish to strongly advise Nigerians not to engage in panic buying of petroleum products as the NNPC has sufficient stock to last through this festive season and beyond.“
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Economy
Tinubu orders take-off of National Single Window in Q1 2026
Funso OLOJO
The directive was delivered during Tuesday’s fifth steering committee meeting at the State House, Abuja.
President Tinubu was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila said the recent Tax Reform Acts, signed into law in June, underscored the urgency of accelerating reforms and pursuing Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy target.
He highlighted the importance of financial and trade reforms in achieving national economic transformation.
“It’s important that we continue to stay focused on this project. So that at the end of the day, we meet our timelines and achieve the results the President expects.
“As you all are aware, the project is one of the transformative initiatives of Mr. President which we collectively must ensure is effectively and commendably implemented,” Gbajabiamila said.
He emphasised the role of a unified electronic platform in simplifying Nigeria’s import and export operations.According to him, the NSW will boost investment and trade revenues, improve transparency, and strengthen Nigeria’s global business credibility.
Gbajabiamila urged all agencies to refine their targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to meet the Phase 1 deadline.“I do expect that since the last meeting of the steering committee which was held on the 8th April, 2025, all stakeholders have operated and actively progressed with all the required KPIs and set targets to ensure that we go live with phase 1 in Q1 2026 as was previously scheduled,” he said.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun described the progress as encouraging but stressed the need for swift execution.
He urged a shift from strategy to concrete implementation, calling the project complex but transformational.
Edun urged the committee to improve collaboration and resolve final hurdles to meet the rollout timeline.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole also charged the committee to work diligently and meet the Q1 2026 deadline without fail.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), thanked the President for consistently supporting the project.
“Thank you on behalf of the steering committee. We thank you for the relentless support that you have given to us.”
“And to all my colleagues here, we can see that the reward for hard work is more work.
“When we started last month, it is now law; the single window is now in the law.”
He asked committee members to stay focused on the mission ahead.
The Director of the National Single Window (NSW) Project, Tola Fakolade, gave a brief overview of the steering committee’s progress toward implementing the project.
“All second quarter 2025 key project milestones have been successfully achieved. And the customisation of the Single window platform has commenced,” he said.
He gave assurances that the committee would meet up with the timelines.
The National Single Window project is a Federal Government initiative to streamline trade processes by creating a centralised electronic platform for importers and exporters.
It is a digital trade facilitation platform expected to accelerate economic growth and facilitate cross-border transactions.
Launched in April 2024, the NSW seeks to consolidate all agencies involved in imports and exports onto a unified electronic portal.
It is expected to reduce trade costs, cut delays, and enhance transparency and efficiency at Nigerian ports.
Committee members include representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Investments, the Ministry of Finance, FIRS, and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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