By Davies Iheamnachor, PORT HARCOURT

The Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has blamed the hitches in the distribution of petroleum products from the Port Harcourt Refinery to filling stations on the bad state of the East-West Road.

PETROAN frowned at the slow pace of work on the Eleme section of the East-West Road. It said the slow pace of work on the road is sabotaging the effort of President Bola Tinubu to ensure smooth distribution of petroleum products to retail outlets.

The National President of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Harry, in a statement in Port Harcourt, said over 60 retail outlets are affected by the impact of the poor condition of the road on distribution of petroleum products.

Harry in a statement by Dr. Joseph Obele, National PRO, PETROAN, said many tankers are using the road to transport fuel to filling stations.

He said: “PETROAN has expressed concern over the slow pace of work by Reynolds Construction Company, RCC, on the Eleme East-West Road.

“The National President of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Gillis Harry, said RCC’s slow pace of work is sabotaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to ensure smooth distribution of petroleum products from the newly commissioned Port Harcourt refinery.

“About 60 retail outlets are negatively impacted by the road construction. We request adequate compensation for owners of those filling stations.

“The Minister of Works, David Umahi, in a previous press conference, has also complained about the slow approach of RCC, leading to the issuance of a seven-day ultimatum.

“Thousands of petroleum trucks will be using the road to convey products from the newly-inaugurated Port Harcourt Refinery.

“Hence, further delay is detrimental. The Eleme East-West Road is a critical route for the transportation of petroleum products, and its safety is paramount.”