There are strong indications to the fact that the already jam-packed Ibru yard which plays host to most of the tank farms in Lagos may soon see the take off of yet another tank farm as another downstream operator is already warming up to join the league in satisfying the nation’s fuel consumption requirement per day.
According to sources operating at the Ibru yard, the new depot; T-Time petroleum services limited started construction of its depot two years ago amidst doubts and speculations from stakeholders on whether it will be allowed by the government through the department of petroleum resources (DPR) to operate as the space allotted for sitting the tank farms was reportedly small.
Shipping Position Weekly correspondent who visited the Ibru yard last week confirmed that major works at the tank farm has been completed few months ago and that it is currently awaiting the DPR certification and the approval of the agency in order to commence its operations.
However, one of the DPR officials stationed in the yard, Mr. O.E Oyegoke confirmed to Shipping Position Weekly that the tank farm is yet to begin operations because it has not met all the DPR requirements. He says “the owners of the depot are still on it, they have not met all the necessary requirements and so we can not say exactly when operations will begin”
It was also gathered that T-Time petroleum services is set to operate with just two tanks which it intends to use in distributing DPK otherwise known as kerosene, PMS (fuel) and AGO referred to commonly as diesel. A source also confirmed to our correspondent that the tank farm intends to use one of the tanks for operating fuel while the other will be used for storing diesel and kerosene intermittently.
But responding to posited questions about the little space allotted to the depot and the use of just two tanks to operate, Oyegoke cleared that “if the depot meets up with DPR requirements they can operate with even just a single tank, there is no rule as to how many tanks that must be erected by the depot before it can operate” he said.
A close source at the Ibru yard also confirmed that prior to the construction of the T-Time depot which share fences with Eterna oil depot, the space was occupied by a medical laboratory and a row of offices which was consequently pulled down so as to allow a space for the new tanks.
The new tank farm when in full swing will be in addition to the existing depots in the complex which altogether are numbered up to twenty tank farms.
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