Following the commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery, oil marketers have called for the speedy completion of the Eleme road leading to the refinery.
The marketers under the aegis of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria appealed to the contractors handling the East-West road to speed up the renovation of the Eleme-East-West road.
Recall that the Federal Government had repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work even after the government had made an advance payment of N33bn to the contractor.
At the moment, our correspondent gathered that the Eleme road that leads to the refinery is still in a deplorable condition, raising safety concerns.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of PETROAN, Joseph Obele, disclosed that the completion of the road became necessary to avoid cases of trucks overturning and exploding due to bad roads.
Obele pleaded that the road should be made motorable and smooth for the movement of trucks carrying petroleum products because of their flammable nature.
“We call on the management of RCC handling the East-West road to ensure speedy completion of the Eleme-East-West road in view of making the road smooth for the movement of trucks carrying petroleum products due to the Hazardous and flammable nature of petroleum products,” PETROAN said.
In October, an overturned fuel tanker exploded in Jigawa, killing at least 157 people who had rushed to the scene of the accident to collect leaking petrol.
Experts and stakeholders have repeatedly expressed worries over incessant tanker explosions in Nigeria, but it appears more still has to be done.
Meanwhile, PETROAN expressed optimism that the commencement of production at the Port Harcourt refinery will usher in job opportunities, boost the economy and trigger competition in the downstream sector which will invariably result in a downward price review.
He appreciated members of the host communities for the peaceful cooperation given to workers during the rehabilitation of the refinery.
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