Following the lingering petrol scarcity across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission will meet with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to address the crisis ahead of the general elections in February and March.
The nation has been grappling with prolonged petrol scarcity, which has been attributed to inadequate supply of the product by the NNPCL, the sole importer of Premium Motor Spirit.
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye, told Sunday PUNCH on Friday that the commission was prepared to resolve issues regarding logistics ahead of the polls.
Okoye said, “The issue relating to logistics, we are going to deal with it. We are going to hold a high-level meeting with the NNPCL to resolve whatever issues or challenges we have.
“We are going to solve the issues based on our own processes and procedures. We have things under control.”
In the same vein, the National Secretary of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, Yusuf Adeniyi, stated that the fuel scarcity would not affect the task of the members in conveying electoral materials on Election Day.
He gave an assurance that the RTEAN, which is one of the transport unions that signed a memo of understanding with INEC on election logistics, would deliver on its mandate as expected.
“You see, the issue of fuel scarcity will not affect the elections. The fact remains that we are facing fuel scarcity; however, I think it is not real. It is artificial. Yes, we are transporters and our vehicles are moving. The issue of the movement of election materials will be done. I do not see any big deal about it,” Adeniyi said.
Asked if there was any arrangement between the association and the NNPCL to provide the drivers with fuel, the secretary noted, “Even before (the scarcity), there was no special provision regarding the movement of transport operators in Nigeria or how the transporters get their own fuel. We obtain fuel from the same market that private people get theirs, and in some cases, we get from black markets. Those who are hoarding the fuel, let them continue hoarding it.”
An aide to the President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the body had made alternative plans to beat the challenge of fuel scarcity, and gave an assurance that the situation would not affect the conveyance of election materials.
He said, “This is probably one out of the many few situations where we have fuel distribution issues like this and a little bit scarcity, but that does not mean that we did not make proper arrangements earlier on.
“When you are dealing with extension services as special services for the public, there is usually a plan ‘B’ on the ground. So, I do not think there will be issues at all in conveying election materials. We had a tripartite agreement involving INEC, the NURTW and every other body that is related to the election; so I do not think there will be any issue at all.”
Credit: punchng.com
