Apprehension As Fuel Tankers Flood Commercial City Of Onitsha

A seeming industrial dispute among petroleum Tanker Drivers in neighbouring south east States have led to flooding of Onitsha with fuel tankers, causing obstruction in parts of the commercial city. Correspondent, Ogochukwu Oranu, reports that for over a week now, the Bridge Head, Uga Junction, part of Enugu-Onitsha Express – way have been occupied by over seventy tankers loaded with fuel creating gridlock from that end. Speaking to the ABS on the development, the President of Head Bridge Market, Mr. Sunday Obinze expressed fear that fire outbreak from any of the tankers will spell doom for traders and entire Onitsha metropolis.

Mr. Obinze said all efforts to convince them to leave yielded no result, and appealed to the Anambra State government to wade-in, to forestall any fire outbreak in addition to reducing traffic in that area. The Chairman of Tanker drivers, Mr.

Nnanna Sunday who spoke to the ABS on the issue, said the problem is from South East Zone involving Imo and Anambra States, and advised the actors to resolve their differences. Another trader who spoke on the issue ,Chief Bede Nwankwo raised an alarm that should there be fire outbreak as a result of continuous occupation of part of the express road, it will lead to destruction of life and property and pleaded for government intervention.

Speaking to the ABS, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Petroleum and Union Matters Mr Peter Nwosu disclosed that the problem started from Imo State, and promised Ndi Anambra that the tankers will be removed as soon as possible.