NURTW Union advocates rail transportation for petroleum products

 

The chairman reiterated the need for government to enact law for the use of four wheel vehicles, only to ply Nigerian roads, while heavy loads should be transported via the rails.

Alhaji lssa Ore, Chairman, Kwara branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has appealed to the Federal Government to direct the use of rail transport for distribution of petroleum products.

He made the call a press conference in Ilorin on Sunday.

The chairman reiterated the need for government to enact law for the use of four wheel vehicles, only to ply Nigerian roads, while heavy loads should be transported via the rails.

Ore said the move had become imperative because such would guide against fuel diversion and extend the life span of roads.

``If considered, it will not only reduce damage on Nigerian roads but make the roads to last longer.’’

The NURTW chairman urged the government to fix all the refineries and the depots to ensure adequate supply of the product

He noted that 75 per cent of fuel consumed in the country was by members of his union.

He held that if government failed to put things right, the union might be forced to increase transport fare.

He said in spite the fact that there was arbitrary increase in the prices of fuel, members of the union had refused to increase transport fares.

Ore also stressed the need for government to expand and repair all major federal roads across the country, so as to reduce accidents on the highways

The chairman said the union was collaborating with the FRSC on its speed limiter aimed at reducing accidents the roads.

He, however, called for reduction in the cost of the equipment.