Barely two weeks after a twin car explosion rocked the Folawiyo Filling station at Creek road, Apapa, Lagos, the Chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) PTML Chapter, Eze Elect Goodluck Onunji has called for the immediate relocation of petroleum depots and tank farms spread across Coconut and Kirikiri areas of Apapa in Lagos.
Speaking in an interview with Primetime Reporters in his office in Lagos, Onunji disclosed that the continuous stay of the tank farms and other petroleum depots close to PITML terminal poses a great danger to the security of Lagos state in particular and Nigeria in general.
He pointed out that with the security situation in the country presently, any attempt by the insurgents to throw bomb in the area would spell doom for the entire nation and her economy.
He disclosed that not only do this development pose a threat to national security, but that the trend has resulted in the continuous delays currently being witnessed in the delivery of cargoes to their final destinations.
The Chairmanafter trucks exits the PTML terminal, it took them about four hours or more to negotiate their way out of the ports which according to him was largely due to the long queue of petroleum tankers waiting on the same roads to get their consignments.
According to him,” the tank farm contributes to the gridlock at the port. Most of the times, you may close at the port about 6. Pm and will not leave until 8.pm sometimes 10 . pm. I will suggest that the federal government relocate the tank farms somewhere else as this will further help in facilitating trade as well as ensuring security of lives and properties in the state”.
He maintained that the access roads into the port areas were supposed to be hitch-free while urging the federal government to take a cue from the developed countries where tank farms were relocated from residential areas.
He recalled that there were lands in Badagry, Epe and Ikorodu axis of Lagos where the depots could relocate their operations.
“We are not supposed to have any hiccup in trying to access the port, it is supposed to be a straight forward place where you transact business and go. I will suggest that the tank farms should be relocated to Badagry or Epe and Ikorodu and there are still lands in those areas”.
“What matter is not to be at the port but to be where people can reach you and I know that there is nowhere tank farms can be in Lagos that they will not be located. Lagos is a trade hub of Nigeria”.
“Activities of the tank farms usually affect trucks coming to take delivery at the ports because when they park waiting for their turns, they will be delayed and there is nothing you can do”, Onunji said.
