Downstream operators around the Ibafon/Ibru tank farm complex along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway has expressed high hopes over the ongoing repair works on the failed portion of the road, especially the around the tank farm, even as they expressed optimism that it would further aid haulage and prompt circulation of petroleum products.
Downstream operators around the Ibafon/Ibru tank farm complex along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway has expressed high hopes over the ongoing repair works on the failed portion of the road, especially the around the tank farm, even as they expressed optimism that it would further aid haulage and prompt circulation of petroleum products.
The operators have also expressed great satisfaction at the level of sanity witnessed around the depot now due to improved security patrols by the ‘Operation Messa’ of the Nigerian Army and the combined team of the Lagos State Task Force on environment.
An oil marketer at Ibeto tank farm along the axis, Mr. Fidel Aisodionne in a chat with Shipping Position Daily noted that the journey from Oshodi to the tank farm has now been reduced to 30 minutes on the average and that with the completion of the ongoing construction it will further reduce.
Aisodionne also said that incidences of theft and vandalism of petroleum trucks around the depot which was hitherto a regular occurrence is now a thing of the past.
According to him, “The OP Messa are now on constant patrol, no more security breaches and complaints, sometimes we usually see the special task force from Alausa, we see them around during the day and night, the security has enhanced good confidence of people that work here and other persons coming to do business here”.
“Sometimes vehicles coming here that could not load have to wait, but for some times now we have not heard any driver complaining of his truck being tampered with, these were regular occurrence before now” he said.
The petroleum marketer also expressed hopes that the ongoing construction around Trinity Bus-stop when completed will aid haulage of petroleum product.
According to him, “to a very large extent it’s going to boost operations in this area, it is already manifesting, you can see that the journey of four hours from Oshodi to this place has eventually become 30 minutes on the average, we are very confident that once the road is completed it will reduce to 10 minutes”.
Also expressing hopes for the ongoing project, a member of NUPENG at the Integrated Oil depot, Mr. Balogun Ogundele noted that the road is the only link between depots along the road and those around the heart of Apapa.
Ogundele said that the constant gridlock along the expressway has been discouraging many of the tanker drivers from patronizing the depots in Apapa.
“This is the only route that is easy for all trucks coming to load products in Apapa, even for those going to Folawiyo Energy, MRS and so on, if the road is free, in 30 minutes you will get to the depot from Oshodi, once the road is completed there will not be any hindrances”, he said
On his part, Chairman of the NUPENG at Ascon Oil, Mr. Sunday Okooza called on the government to direct the construction company to work day and night in order to speed up the construction process. According to him, the road is already taking too long to complete.
He said however that: “The way the road is being constructed now, I don’t think there will be any water or flood around the Trinity bus-stop again, it will really help our operations, there will be free flow of traffic and the road will serve everyone, including the port users”.
Okooza pointed out that it takes hours before a loaded truck can maneuver its way out of the depot as a result of the traffic on the expressway.
Discussion about this post