The Anambra State Government on Friday announced the ban of daytime movement of tankers ladden with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS in the state.

The State Commissioner for information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, who made the announcement in Awka, said the order was necessitated by the recent cases of fuel tanker fire disaster which not only claimed lives but destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

He said that henceforth, fuel tankers would operate from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. in the state.

While saying that the new order will take effect from November 2, 2019, Adinuba noted that the tanker drivers are also expected to adhere to a 90 kilometres per hour speed limit.

The statement partly reads: “Following the incessant collapse of trucks carrying petroleum products in Anambra State in recent times, including one which happened in Onitsha on Thursday, the Anambra State Government has decided to restrict the time which vehicles laden with petroleum products can move in the state.

“With effect from Saturday, November 2, 2019, such vehicles can be allowed to move within Anambra State from only 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

“The restriction is to enable agencies like the Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Civil Defence, the Anambra Traffic Management Agency and indeed all other security, law enforcement and safety agencies to respond effectively and in good time to emergencies created by such accidents.

“The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force and all other security agencies have also been directed to ensure that such vehicles do not exceed the speed limit of 90 kilometres per hour.”

The Commissioner warned that any violation of either the time restriction order or the speed limit will be punished accordingly insisting that the protection of the life and asset of every person in Anambra State cannot be compromised.

He added, “All stakeholders, including oil marketers, workers, tanker drivers and indeed concerned persons in the downstream oil sector are urged to bear with the state and help to adhere to this regulation which is made strictly in the overriding public interest.”

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