By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Jos
Petroleum tanker drivers in Plateau State on Tuesday staged a protest to renounce their membership of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), accusing the union of neglecting their welfare and failing to address the challenges faced by members.
The drivers, who converged at the Mista Ali Tanker Garage in Bassa Local Government Area, alleged that NUPENG only shows interest in their affairs when it benefits the union, leaving tanker drivers across the country to suffer harsh working and welfare conditions.
Spokesman for the protesting drivers, Nasiru Sani, said the move became necessary because continued affiliation with NUPENG was detrimental to tanker drivers nationwide, insisting that the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) must operate independently in order to address their problems.
He alleged that several tanker drivers are currently in detention facilities across the country without any form of intervention from union leaders, while many others operate under precarious employment conditions.
“Drivers nationwide are driving without appointment letters and can be sacked at will by tanker owners. Our salary is poorly paid and the union has never shown concern. We are tired,” he said.
Sani further claimed that some retired drivers have been denied pension, gratuity and other benefits despite years of service, while others who suffered injuries or became incapacitated on duty have been abandoned to fend for themselves.
“There are several of our members who are either paralyzed or rendered unproductive and can’t help their families. We want to be independent as Petroleum Tanker Drivers. We don’t want to be under NUPENG anymore,” he added.
He also alleged that those at the helm of NUPENG affairs are not tanker drivers, making them disconnected from the realities of the profession.
Reacting, State Chairman of PTD and NUPENG, Yawale Muhammad, dismissed the protest, describing it as unnecessary and unprocedural, insisting that no formal complaint was brought before the union.
“This is not how you present your grievances. The protest doesn’t make sense. If they present their problems, we will take it up to NUPENG at the centre and something will be done. As a driver, I am not in support of the protest. We are still under NUPENG,” he said.