By Tina Amanda
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Rivers State Branch has threatened to shut down its services following the persistent gridlock on the Eleme-Aleto road in Eleme local government area, crumbling economic business activities.
IPMAN Chairman, Comrade Joseph Obele, who voiced their decision during an interview with our correspondent, said the state of the road has made it tough for Petroleum trucks as they are trapped for several hours while conveying products.
He noted that the frustrating state of the road has become a big threat to the Oil and Gas business as so much loss and damages have been incurred from the collapse of the Eleme-Aleto bridge.
Obele called on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio to ensure the immediate construction and dualization of the road.
“Actually the gridlock being experienced in Eleme-Aleto road of the East/West axis became worse last week after the collapse of a portion of the Aleto bridge. We in the Oil and Gas sector of the state have written to the head office notifying them that our trucks can not risk taking a load of nine to ten million naira worth of petroleum products on that road anymore, they should direct us on what to do.
“Hopefully, by next week, our head office will be directing us on what to do which would not be far from shutting down supply and distribution. Right now whoever plys that road spends over three to six hours on a particular spot. It is frustrating economic activities, every business owner and residents in the area are really lamenting for federal government to speedily work on the road.
“The state of the Eleme-Aleto bridge, being the basic road which our trucks and facilities convey products from the refinery to nooks and cranny of Rivers and other parts of the country, is causing us a great loss and damage. We can no longer risk our investment due to the terrible state of the road.
“We call on all critical stakeholders in the Oil and Gas, federal government and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godwill Akpabio to see to full construction and dualization of the road.”
