ANAMBRA STATE GOVT ENGAGES PETROLEUM TANKER DRIVERS TO CURB RECURRING INCIDENCE OF TANKER FALLS

REPORTER: CHIKA ESOWUNE

Petroleum tanker drivers have been advised to be careful on wheels and desist from ingesting banned substances to suppress fatigue and fight sleep.

Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral resources, Mr. Anthony Ifeanya, gave the advice during an interactive meeting with leadership of tanker drivers in his office on how to prevent recurring falling of petroleum tankers while on transit.

The Commissioner, who maintained that the safety of the people is paramount, instructed tanker drivers to make available to his office a comprehensive data of their members in the state.

The directive also included those passing through the state and their respective major distributor companies.

He stressed the need for the establishment of Tanker Vehicle Parks on Public Private Partnership, PPP basis to meet safety regulatory standards and reduce heavy vehicle congestion on roads in the state.

Reacting, the Anambra State Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers wing of NUPENG, Comrade Izuchukwu Onwuka, applauded the thoughts of the Commissioner.

He highlighted an existing law from their national secretariat that every tanker driver should park for the day at 6pm.

Comrade Onwuka passionately underscored the urgency of Tanker Vehicle Parks, where their members can park, refresh and continue their journey at day break which would in turn yield revenue for the state.

Comrade Onwuka blamed incessant fall of petroleum tankers on human error and poor maintenance of vehicles by their owners.

He also counselled fellow drivers to desist from managing any poorly maintained vehicle to be alive to drive for tomorrow.

Among those present during the interactive meeting were the Special Assistant to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Nkiru Nwankwor.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU