By Aplefe Ojong
Officials and owners of Tank Farms in Cross River State have been given a three-day ultimatum by the State Government to clear all petroleum tankers and trucks parked along the Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar.
A press Release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Tina Agbor, dated June 11, 2015, stated that the ultimatum came after a combined meeting of the SSG, Barr. Agbor, the Head of Service, Mrs. Mary Theresa Ikwen, Ministry of Environment and Department of Public Transportation (DOPT) with the Tank Farm Owners.
The release equally explained that the state government “has noted with dismay, the indiscriminate and unauthorized practice of parking petroleum tankers/trucks along the Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar, resulting in huge traffic congestion”, and further called on the authorities of the Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ), Tank farm owners, NUPENG as well as tankers’ drivers union to strictly comply with the government directive as more decisive action will be taken against defaulters at the expiration of the three-day ultimatum.
“Government hereby acknowledges the potential of Calabar as the fastest growing economy but will at the same time not shy away from its social responsibility of securing lives and property of the citizens of the state; thus in growing business, the lives and well-being of the people must not be endangered”.
“Government wishes to reaffirm her commitment to develop a modern truck park in Calabar with up-to-date facilities at no distant time, but strongly sued for the cooperation of all concerned in making the needed adjustment at the interim in the interest of all”, the release concluded.