The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) on Tuesday urged its members to obey the governments’ directives on improved personal hygiene and social distancing while discharging their duties to prevent spread of COVID-19.
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Mr Salimon Oladiti, the National Chairman, PTD Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) made the call on Tuesday in Lagos.
Oladiti said in a statement that any tanker driver that exhibited recalcitrant or nonchalant attitude in the discharge of his duties would face stiff penalty.
According to him, there will be task force across all locations in the country to ensure that PTDs are fully kitted with gloves, sanitisers and nose masks.
“We have directed all our members across the country that they should be fully kitted with gloves, sanitisers and nose masks, in their essential services to the nation.
“They are also expected to observe other protocols for managing COVID-19 while discharging their duties.
“Any of our members who do not comply with this directives will not be allowed to enter any petroleum depot in the country.
“We already have a task force to ensure full compliance,” he said.
The chairman said that in line with the social distancing directive, tanker drivers would only be allowed to carry one person along, either an auxiliary driver or a motor boy.
Oladiti said: “It is a task that must be done to ensure the safety of our lives and our people.
“I wish to appeal to our members to continue to closely observe the preventive measures already announced by the government at all levels, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,” he said.
Earlier, NUPENG’s National President, Mr Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Mr Afolabi Olawale, also said in a statement that it had already distributed customised sanitisers, gloves and nose masks to various operational locations, drivers stop-over spots and loading points.
The union leaders said they also distributed handed sanitisers in 10 litres transparent jerry cans to serve as refill for dispensers with other safety kits to all zonal offices in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Warri and Lagos.
“This is in furtherance of our pledge to be on the frontline in the fight against the Coronavirus.
“We are also going to provide further logistics and support to our members as we deem necessary, ” they said.
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