By Chris Ochayi

ABUJA — The Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, branch of NUPENG has debunked allegations that its members were involved in diversion of fuel to neighbouring countries, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading.

The PTD noted that instead of commending its members for working tirelessly to end the current fuel scarcity, what they were receiving were accusations of product diversion.

Seized fuel trucks

Apparently reacting to a statement credited to a lawmaker in Lagos State House of Assembly, accusing tanker drivers of petroleum diversion, the National Chairman of PTD, Comrade Salimon Oladiti, said the

lawmaker was uninformed about the workings of fuel products distribution around him and in the country.

Oladiti lampooned the lawmaker on abdication of his responsibility to the people of his constituency and the state in general when, as a lawmaker, he could not call on law enforcement agents to effect the arrest of

the so-called tanker drivers but instead, made sweeping statements to discredit drivers trying to assuage the current hardship faced by many Nigerians, even in the helpless situation the country finds itself.
Oladiti posited that the accusation of tanker drivers was not only baseless and unfounded but also that the lawmaker could not be serious.

He noted that the lawmaker should have asked if there were filling stations in and around the border town, the tanker’s waybill and even the authenticity and membership of such tanker drivers and their owners.

He said the PTD condemned all forms of criminal behaviour within its ranks and the entire membership, adding that the group condemned vandalism and all forms of criminal activities.

According to him, should any member be found wanting, the union as a rule does not hesitate to sanction such member.