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The South-West Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, Mr Tayo Aboyeji, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos said the union has lost many lives and properties due to bad roads.

“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 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 truck loads 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 increase rate of fire incidences involving petroleum tankers with accompanying massive destruction of lives and properties of our members and general public is enough.

“This is because of government failure to enforce installation of safety gadget on tanker.

“The unions do not want any truck to carry more than the approved capacity,” he said.

“We know that the present administration would not do anything until we start the nationwide strike,” he said.

Punch