By Archibong Jeremiah, House Of Assembly Correspondent
The Cross River State House of Assembly has resolved that the management of Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) should increase the number of its staffs responsible for issuance of permit to tanker drivers in the Calabar depot to ensure that the tankers leave the depot immediately after loading to avoid congestion.
This resolution was taken by the House in its first plenary session held today Wednesday 22nd July, 2015 after resuming from recess following a report submitted by an adhoc committee constituted by the House on Tuesday 23rd June, 2015 after a motion moved by the House Leader, Hon. Moses Ushie Ucheche.
The House further resolved that: “In the mean time, the tank farm owners should liaise with the tanker operators to schedule on lifting of petroleum products from the depot so that only those listed should come into Calabar.
“The State government should expedite action on building of the haulage city at Odukpani to provide enough parking spaces for trucks and tankers to check indiscriminate parking along the high way in the State.
“The State Government should enact a legislation to provide legal backing for the operations of the new haulage city.
“The State Government should procure a heavy duty tow truck for towing of trucks parked at unauthorized places in the city and the cost of such labor should be recovered from the owners of the affected trucks.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps should intensify efforts in its enlightenment programs on the dangers of reckless, indiscriminate parking and other safe driving cultures targeted at drivers of articulated vehicles.
“And that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) should refrain from issuing clearance to members of the public for construction of filling stations within the cities and residential areas”.
The adhoc committee which was chaired by Hon. Idagu Agaji of Bekwara State constituency has the following as members; Hon. Elizabeth of Akpabuyo State constituency, Hon. Christian Achor from Etung State constituency, Hon. Hilary Bisong of Boki State constituency and Hon. Peter Odey Agbe representing Ogoja constituency.