There is looming fuel scarcity in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria as tanker drivers have stopped fuel loading over alleged harassment by officials of the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

Also, telecommunications companies have raised concerns over a possible network blackout as the strike by petroleum tanker drivers could disrupt diesel supply, threatening the operations of mobile and internet services.

It was learned that the truck drivers could not load fuel on Saturday and Sunday, creating fears of scarcity in Lagos and other states.

However, the Lagos State Government said it was only enforcing its e-call-up system, warning that attempts to blackmail the state government would not work.

The e-call-up system is a digital platform that manages the movement of trucks in the Lekki-Epe corridor of Lagos. The system was launched in September 2024 to help reduce traffic congestion.

In an interview with one of our correspondents, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Yusuf Othman, said members of his association were often beaten and harassed by government officials for no known reason.

According to him, trucks were being seized and damaged by the government officials, adding that he would not know if there would be fuel loading on Monday (today).

?The problem we have now is that the tax force in Lagos State has towed our trucks and they are beating our drivers. They damaged the vehicle of the union. So, because of that, there was no loading yesterday (Saturday and there is no loading today (Sunday). I don?t know whether there will be any form of loading tomorrow in Lagos environment. The union and the tax force are disturbing us,? Othman stated.

Asked if this would not lead to fuel scarcity, he replied, ?Well, I wouldn?t know, but I know there was no loading yesterday, there is no loading today, and there may not be tomorrow. And all is because of this Lagos tax force.

?They are busy collecting our vehicles, giving fines and whatever. I don?t know how they will operate without fuel trucks. There is no refinery or depot in any place that can operate without a vehicle that will come and take products from them. So, they have to find a way of ensuring that we all co-exist peacefully,? he stated.

The NARTO president said this does not relate to the ban on 60,000 trucks.

?It?s entirely a different thing. It?s a tax force from the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Transport,? he disclosed.

LASG replies

Reacting, the Lagos State Government emphasised that the government was making efforts to sanitise traffic along the road to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Wale Musa, said the state government would not allow tanker drivers to turn the area to another Apapa which used to be characterised by massive gridlocks in the past.

?I am aware that some enforcement was done at the Dangote refinery axis. If it is the same issue, the enforcement is to ensure compliance with our e-call-up system.

?We won?t allow them to turn that place into another Apapa. Their attempt at blackmail will not suffice. We urge willful compliance for everybody?s sake,? Musa said in a chat.

Telcos fear blackout

Telecommunication companies expressed concern over a looming network blackout as the ongoing strike by petroleum tanker drivers could disrupt diesel supply, threatening the operations of mobile and internet services.

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, which represents major operators, warned that the strike could cause widespread service disruptions if the diesel shortage persists.

?If diesel supply is disrupted, it will impact network operations because telcos rely on diesel to power their sites almost daily,? ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, told The PUNCH on Sunday.

?While many sites have reserve tanks, some are already at critical supply levels. If there is no immediate intervention, services could be affected.?

Telecommunications providers such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile do not manage their base stations directly. Instead, they rely on infrastructure companies like IHS Towers, American Tower Company, and Pan African Towers, which maintain and power these sites using diesel generators.

Emoekpere stressed the urgent need for contingency measures to protect critical telecom infrastructure.

?This situation wasn?t planned for. Even in cases like this, there should be mechanisms in place to ensure telecom services are not compromised. Telecom infrastructure is critical national infrastructure and should not be left vulnerable,? he said.

He noted that infrastructure companies have already reported difficulties in securing diesel, prompting ATCON to raise the alarm. ?We don?t wait for a total shutdown before taking action; this is a preventive measure,? he added.

In a separate statement, ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to facilitate the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

?This is not just a telecom issue ? it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,? Emoekpere said.

The association also urged security agencies and petroleum unions to swiftly resolve the crisis to safeguard Nigeria?s telecommunications infrastructure.

If diesel supply is not restored soon, millions of subscribers could experience service disruptions, affecting both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations, he argued. (The PUNCH)

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