The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has urged its members to be security conscious and maintain highway discipline.

Mr Salimon Oladiti, PTD Ibadan Unit Chairman, made the call during at the inauguration of the re-elected executives held at the NNPC Depot, Apata, Ibadan.

Oladiti, who was returned unopposed said that since about 85 per cent of accidents involving tanker drivers always happened at night, members have been prohibited from overnight journey.

“We have instructed our members that they should not move their vehicles any time as from 7 pm to mitigate night crashes.

“Also, we encourage them to emulate all they have learnt from our periodic lectures on defensive driving for members facilitated by the FRSC.

“They are advised to always be safety conscious and obey road traffic rules and regulations,’’ he said.

He also said that the association had zero tolerance for illegal petroleum product, hijacking and pipeline vandalism.

On security issues, Oladiti said that any member caught involving in product hijacking or pipeline vandalism would be handed over to the police for prosecution.

“We have also delegated our members to be each others’ watchdogs and report any suspicious person or activity to the appropriate authorities,’’ Oladiti said.

Meanwhile, the National Secretary of PTD, Mr Garga Dayabbu, commended the Federal Government for the proposed National Articulated Vehicles Parks initiative, saying it will aid sanity on the highways.

Our source  reports that all the initial PTD Ibadan unit executives, numbering 18, were re-elected, in an open election by 953 members.

They are to serve another four year term.