Checks across Anambra State on the compliance level of petroleum products-bearing tankers not to be seen using any federal or state road in the state have shown appreciable results.
Recall that last week; the state government issued an order outlawing use of roads by product-bearing tankers in the state during day. The announcement was made by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Don Adinuba, on Friday, November 1, 2019 in Awka, the state capital following two horrible tanker infernos in quick succession in Onitsha.
During both incidents and the third one in the same commercial hub of the South East, several lives and properties estimated at millions of naira were destroyed.
The third which forced the order came on Thursday, a day before the Executive Order, when a tanker fell into a ditch on the Onitsha/Enugu expressway by Chipex Filling Station.
Key position of the State Government which the leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG) had described as suicidal, said “Such vehicles can only operate at night henceforth.”
Besides, the Commissioner added in a statement made available to Business Hilights South East Bureau chief in Awka that “The speed limit for such trucks has also been set at 90 kilometres per hour.”
Government, the commissioner said, would not tolerate any form of lawlessness again.
“Following the incessant collapse of trucks carrying petroleum products in Anambra State in recent times, including one which happened in Onitsha on Thursday, the Anambra State Government has decided to restrict the time which vehicles laden with petroleum products can move in the state.
“With effect from Saturday, November 2, 2019, such vehicles can be allowed to move within Anambra State from only 8 pm to 5 am.
“The restriction is to enable agencies like the Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Civil Defence, the Anambra Traffic Management Agency and indeed all other security, law enforcement and safety agencies to respond effectively and in good time to emergencies created by such accidents.
“The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force and all other security agencies have been directed to religiously enforce the restriction order on the movement of trucks carrying petroleum products in the state.
“They have also been directed to ensure that such vehicles do not exceed the speed limit of 90 kilometres per hour.
“Any violation of either the time restriction order or the speed limit will be punished accordingly. The protection of the life and asset of every person in Anambra State cannot be compromised.
“All stakeholders, including oil marketers, workers, tanker drivers and indeed concerned persons in the downstream oil sector are urged to bear with the state and help to adhere to this directive,” Adinuba added.
