By Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS—Tank farm  owners and other stakeholders in the downstream sector of the economy have expressed readiness to evolve a process, through partnership with Lagos State government for the speedy construction and expansion of the second phase of the petroleum tanker parking lot at Orile-Iganmu.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle) with his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (2nd right), State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni (2nd left) and Commander NNS Beecroft, Olokun Apapa Navy Commander Daniel Ikoli (left) during the meeting with Tank Farm Operators in Apapa, at Lagos House, Ikeja,

This aims at finding  immediate solution to the challenges of indiscriminate parking of tankers on bridges and roads within the state, especially in the Apapa axis.

The tank  farm owners, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers’ Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN and other stakeholders, stated this yesterday, with the state government, led by Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

The measure is to enhance the capacity of the tanker holding bay from its current 350 trucks to about 1,000 trucks. This became necessary because a greater part of the phase one of the tanker parking lot has been taken over by the construction of the ongoing light rail system in the corridor.

Also as part of measures to reduce traffic gridlock in Apapa and environs, the stakeholders agreed to re-strengthen  the call-up  system that allows only a certain number of tankers with valid papers of authority to load fuel, go into Apapa at a given time. Any violator will be arrested by state task force and other security personnel.

Ambode last month met with other   stakeholders including the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) Association of Maritime Trucks Owners (AMATO) in his search for a lasting solution to the gridlock in Apapa in particular and other parts of the state metropolis.

Addressing the stakeholders, Ambode said,”What is important now is to make sure there is easy and motorable access to Apapa. Our joint task force has been given the directive to make sure tankers and trucks do not constitute nuisance.

“We are looking at the possibility of reigniting the Orile-Iganmu park to increase its capacity to accommodate tankers, and we have to do this as soon as possible,”

Ambode also reiterated the call on the Federal Government to ensure the speedy completion of  another  trailer park being constructed opposite the Tincan port in Apapa.

The DAPPMAN team led by their chairman, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, agreed there was urgent need to secure an expanded holding bay for the tankers, assuring that the association would consult with members and other stakeholders and come up with what should be their stake in the construction of the phase two of the Orile-Iganmu park.

He said piping petroleum products remains a huge challenge due to vandalisation of the pipeline just as he disclosed that the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) loses   products worth over N600 million weekly to pipeline vandals between Atlas Cove and Mosimi in Lagos.

Also, in the interim, the team is to work out modality for the setting up of a standing committee comprising of all stakeholders, including Petroleum Tanker Drives Association, PTDA. that will complement efforts of the state Taskforce in ensuring traffic flow in Apapa and environs.

The meeting was later adjourned till sometime next week to accommodate other stakeholders in the haulage businesses.