Rivers to relocate petrol tankers to curb fire tragedy

WORRIED by the indiscriminate parking of petroleum tankers on the ever busy Aba-Port Harcourt Road, the Rivers State Government had concluded plans to relocate the fuel trucks from Port Harcourt city centre in order to avoid any form of fire disaster.

The state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, explained that the measure was targeted at protecting members of the public from unexpected fire incidents since the petroleum tankers were always parking along residential and office areas.

Wike, who spoke on Wednesday when he met with depot and petroleum managers and leaders of transport unions, stressed that the government would soon move the tanker drivers to a new parking space.

It will be recalled that two petrol tankers were involved in an accident that caused loss of lives and property in Anambra and Lagos states.

Wike also promised to resolve the traffic gridlock experienced by motorists plying the Port Harcourt-Aba route.

He said, “A joint inspection of the alternative parking space for tanker drivers at Iriebe Park will be undertaken on Thursday.

“Tanker drivers will be expected to operate a call system that will enable them to be in touch with the depots, instead of parking on the road.

“We are taking these measures to forestall any accident or disaster along Aba Road where these tankers park. Should anything happen along the road, there could be loss of lives and property. We are being proactive by calling this meeting in order to decongest the road and relocate the tankers.”

Wike, however, pointed out that his administration would consider relocating tank farms in the state in future.

Earlier, Mr. Ogbonna Onyekachi of Avidor Oil and Gas told the governor that they would cooperate with his administration to relocate the tankers.

Meanwhile, the state governor has directed sanitation service providers in the state to commence the clearing of refuse that had littered Port Harcourt, the state capital, as a result of four months unpaid salaries.

Wike gave the directive on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, during a meeting with sanitation service providers.