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Fuel Tanker Menace: Port Harcourt Also Cries

By Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt
04 October 2015   |   3:58 am
IT isn’t Lagos State alone battling to contain the nuisance caused by drivers of petrol tankers. The indiscriminate parking of these long vehicles along the busy Azikiwe Road in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State has drawn the condemnation of residents and the ire of Governor Nyesom Wike.
Trucks parked along Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt PHOTO: ANN GODWIN

Trucks parked along Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt PHOTO: ANN GODWIN

Task Force To Execute Relocation Order

IT isn’t Lagos State alone battling to contain the nuisance caused by drivers of petrol tankers. The indiscriminate parking of these long vehicles along the busy Azikiwe Road in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State has drawn the condemnation of residents and the ire of Governor Nyesom Wike.

The governor, last month, directed the drivers to move their vehicles to Iriebe Trailer Park in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, citing the need to ensure public safety.

“It is unwise and unsafe to allow trailers that carry refined petroleum products which are inflammable to continue to park along roads and streets that witness heavy traffic daily. We must also take into consideration the hundreds of thousands of commuters that ply the roads and streets daily. It is the duty of government to protect the lives and property of its citizens,” the governor had said.

Infuriated by the menace, Wike had inaugurated two task forces for the clearing of Iriebe Trailer Park, and implementation of a No Parking Order along Azikiwe Road. He charged the task force on Iriebe Trailer Park to liaise with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which kept materials at the Park for safe keeping to work out modality on how to move the materials or re-arrange them so that the park can accommodate as many trailers as possible.

The governor added: “You should liaise with the Chief of Staff on the cost implication of clearing Iriebe Park, so that you can swing into action, as soon as possible. The parking of trailers along Azikiwe Road is becoming increasingly worrisome and disturbing. We must act now!”

Two weeks after the directive, however, the tanker drivers still queue along Azikiwe Road, though the traffic situation is less upsetting, as controllers appear to be waking up to the task. The Guardian’s investigation revealed that the task force charged with preparing the Iriebe site is still working on the place, hence the delay in moving the drivers to the park. Residents also are taking advantage of alternative roads rehabilitated by the Nyesom Wike administration to mitigate the traffic chaos.

The tankers have been the cause of everyday gridlock in the area, which is close to Government House, Port Harcourt, and is host to several commercial banks and residential buildings. Azikiwe Road also serves as major route to key government offices and establishments like Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Port Harcourt branch; State secretariat; Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation office; the State House of Assembly; State Judiciary; the Nigeria Ports Authority; and Port Harcourt Mall, among others.

The drivers of these vehicles park on both sides of the road and precipitate a nasty traffic experience for road users, especially staff of the institutions named. As a result, a journey of about 10 to 15 minutes may last a frustrating four or five hours! Banks and other profit-oriented premises around the area, meanwhile, have lamented poor patronage, as customers are scared off by the traffic snarl.

The tanker drivers, who load petroleum products from Abonema Wharf in Port Harcourt Local Council, have also extended their indiscriminate parking to streets, like Njamanze, Silver Bird Cinema by Abonema Wharf, and Mile1 Flyover.

Speaking on the development, the Port Harcourt zonal chairman of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Godwin Eruba, described indiscriminate parking by tanker drivers along Azikiwe Road as an eyesore and a security risk. He also confirmed ongoing work at Iriebe Park.

Some drivers, however, have insisted they would not move to the new facility, saying it is too far, and calling for an alternative near Abonema Wharf.

But according to Eruba, “The tanker drivers do not have a position; they are like taxi drivers. When someone buys a product, he calls on the owner of the truck and the owner then sends a driver to convey the product to his client. The drivers cannot speak for the union. We consider lives of people very important. So, whenever the Iriebe site is ready, they will move.”

Some of the drivers disclosed that the main reason they have not moved is because the new location is unsuitable. One of them, John Odoh, said: “Our complaint is that the place government gave to us is not convenient; it is very far. They should give us a place around Abonema. They should also consider traffic problems and bad roads around Iriebe, which could adversely affect our business.” Another driver, Mr. Ajuele Thomas, also noted that the Iriebe location is an uncomfortable distance. He urged the government to provide an alternative around Port Harcourt Local Council.

Many residents, meanwhile, decried the gridlock caused by the drivers, stressing the danger the tankers constitute to the public. One Tamunoibimie George said it is unfortunate the drivers have failed to obey government’s directive. “The products are inflammable. Any little incident can ignite an inferno. So, I urge them to relocate,” he said. He prayed the government to apply force if, when the Iriebe site is ready, the drivers fail to comply with the directive.

Adding his voice, a taxi driver, Mr. Austin Amadi, whose vehicle was once smashed by a truck, described the menace as unacceptable, adding that there must be no going back on their relocation.

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