Rattled, Anambra govt bans fuel tankers from plying state roads in daytime

Rattled by incessant fall of vehicles carrying petroleum products in the state, Governor Willie Obiano-led government of Anambra has placed a ban on fuel tankers using roads within the state during the daytime.

In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C- Don Adinuba on Friday, he said that beginning from Saturday, November 2, fuel tankers would only be allowed to operate in the state from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Two weeks after two fuel takers fell in Onitsha area of the state resulting in fire disasters that cost several people their lives and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira, another tanker on Thursday again fell in the Onitsha area.

In the statement, the commissioner said, 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 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

“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 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.

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“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 assets 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 regulation which is made strictly in the overriding public interest.”

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