Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The factional National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Lucky Osesua, yesterday kicked against the alleged manipulation of the group’s health insurance scheme by the parent body, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Osesua cautioned drivers across the four zones of the union not to be taken in by the “gambit” of the General Secretary of NUPENG, Afolabi Olawale, on the reintroduction and launch of the health insurance scheme.
He insisted that he was the brain behind the programme, which he had earlier introduced to the drivers as the branch chairman and urged PTD members to critically assess the current situation instead of falling for empty rhetoric.
In a press release in Abuja, signed by Osesua and the National Secretary, Humble Power, the PTD chairman said the scheme under his leadership sought to address the welfare of all members who traverse the length and breadth of the country on wheels.
He, however, expressed regrets that the scheme was now shrouded in secrecy, adding that signatories had been changed and there was no more transparency and accountability in it.
He added that this was contrary to the initial scheme, which was in the best interest and welfare of the drivers on wheels and principal officers of the union.
According to him, the programme was being deliberately manipulated, “making it so obnoxious for our members to key into, due to the regime of multiple taxes, levies and rates being introduced at various depots and loading stations.”
“Putting the records straight, my humble self and my deputy, Dayyabu Garga alongside the entire executives introduced the health insurance scheme for our drivers to have a new lease of life and access to quality and affordable health care in any part of the country once they tender their automated identity cards which contain their biometrics.
“Afolabi Olawale cannot try to take the credit as though the initiative was his brainchild. What they are doing currently lacks acceptability, consultation, education or due process. They are only using coercive force to lure our members into it, which is against the good intent of the health insurance scheme.
“Our reaction underscores the lack of attraction in the NUPENG programmes and policies which ostensibly lack direction, sincerity and purpose as it is being orchestrated by the current leadership under Afolabi Olawale (General Secretary) and Williams Akporeha (President).
“We therefore urge our members to take informed decisions about their welfare, health, life, wellbeing, and livelihoods and never allow anyone to negatively alter their destinies through dubious and questionable scheme,” part of the statement added.
It noted that the scheme which is set to kick off on December 14, 2023 was only hurriedly reintroduced to seek empathy from members.
Osesua argued that it was strange that the General Secretary of the parent union will be among signatories to PTD’s health insurance scheme.
“This is the first time this will be happening; it is alien to our byelaws and extant rules,” he said.
