Today is the d-day, the day that ultimatum which the Lagos State Government gave tanker drivers to vacate the ever-busy Oshodi/Apapa expressway, because of the perennial traffic problems, frequent accidents and face-off with law enforcement officers, expires.
There has been a build-up of anxiety within Lagos state, because of the possibility of the tanker drivers disobeying the order and a possible backlash of this.
Today is the d-day, the day that ultimatum which the Lagos State Government gave tanker drivers to vacate the ever-busy Oshodi/Apapa expressway, because of the perennial traffic problems, frequent accidents and face-off with law enforcement officers, expires.
There has been a build-up of anxiety within Lagos state, because of the possibility of the tanker drivers disobeying the order and a possible backlash of this.
As reported exclusively on Tuesday by this newspaper, the tanker drivers, as represented by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) still told our correspondent yesterday that they have not been officially notified of the order to quit the expressway.
As at the time of filing this report, there was nothing to indicate that the tanker drivers were ready to move their tankers away from the highway, and a confirmation of this emerged when our correspondent visited the various tank farms and the trucks holding bays.
Even though the holding bays were filled up with empty trucks that would have queued up on the expressway, many tankers were still on the highway, even though they caused minimal obstruction to traffic.
Many of the drivers told our correspondent yesterday that even though they are desirous of vacating the Apapa/Oshodi expressway in obedience to government’s order, there is now where to park their trucks.
Some of them also unofficially told our correspondent that they were awaiting further directives from their union leaders.
Shipping Position Daily recalls the Lagos state government had come hard on the tanker drivers after an accident involving a petrol laden tanker tripped off the Mile 2 Bridge and caught fire last Saturday.
All efforts by Shipping Position Daily to get in touch with the unıon leaders proved abortıve as all their phones were switched- off.
However, a petroleum marketer and also a PTD executive, Mr. Olanıfe Adeoye confided in our correspondent that the unıon caucus is in an emergency meeting as at press time.
According to him, the caucus was deliberating on what would form the main agenda for another meeting which is billed to hold today.
However, expressing his personal opinion on the issue, he said that "it is suprısıng that the Lagos State Government is askıng tankers to leave the roads while the government itself is approving the construction of more tank farms, all the available spaces here have been given out for depot construction, this is the root of the problem".
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