Rivers State Government to move petrol tankers from city centre to avoid mishap

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has concluded plans to stop the indiscriminate parking of petroleum tankers along Aba road in Port Harcourt to forstall any fire disaster in the area.

The governor said the move was aimed at protecting members of the public from unexpected fire accidents since the petroleum tankers park along residential and office areas.

The governor spoke on Wednesday when he met with deport managers, petroleum mangers and leaders of the transport unions.

He said that the state government would work out the relocation of the parking space for the tanker drivers will also resolve the traffic gridlock experienced on the route.

Nyesom Wike said that a joint inspection of the alternative parking space for Tanker Drivers at Iriebe Park will be undertaken on Thursday. He said tanker drivers will be expected to operate a call system that will enable them be in touch with the depots instead of parking on the road.

He said : "We are taking these measures to forstall any accidents 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 to decongest the road and relocate the tankers".

The governor noted that as a long term measure, the government will consider relocating the tank farms in future.

In his remarks, Ogbonna Onyekachi of Avidor Oil and Gas told the governor that they will cooperate with his administration to relocate the tankers.