IPMAN urges Governor to avert impending petrol tanker fire outbreak

The Anambra State Governor Willy Obiano has been called upon to avert impending petrol laden tanker fire outbreak in the state.

The Enugu Depot Unit of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), in a letter to the governor, said the excesses of the state’s anti-COVID-19 security operatives at various boarders in the state must be urgently addressed to avert fire disaster.

The IPMAN Unit covers Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States as well as parts of Imo, Abia, Kogi, Benue and Cross River States.

The Chairman of the association, Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, and the Secretary, Mr. Emeka Iloafor, in a letter jointly signed, noted that security operatives flagrantly withhold their petroleum tankers laden with products at such borders for several hours, warning that such gathering of loaded tankers could lead to disastrous fire disaster.

The group who further alleged that security operatives also subject their tanker drivers to tough financial inducements after the long delay before allowing them access, called on the governor to remind the security officials that petroleum products are among essential commodities and services that government had allowed to operate during the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

“This is to notify your office about the impending dangers of holding our trucks laden with petroleum products within Anambra State boarders for a very long time, by security officials under the guise of controlling vehicular movements at various boarders to check the spread of COVID-19.

“We are fully in support of your desire to ensure that Anambra State is COVID- 19 free, but it will not be a good story if anything happens at any Anambra boarders that may lead to fire outbreak because of the volume of petroleum products that are held at these boarders especially at the Onitsha Bridge Head and Amansea; Awka, along Enugu/Onitsha expressway and Amorka along Enugu/Onitsha expressway,” the letter read.

The group therefore called the governor to order the security operatives to create an easier accessible opening for the smooth passage of our trucks to avoid any eventuality.