Anambra Govt Bans Tanker Drivers From Operating During Daytime

In the wake of repeated collapse of petrol tankers at Onitsha in the last three weeks, the Anambra State government has banned petrol tanker drivers from operating during daytime in the state.

Anambra’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba announced this on Friday.

The state government took the decision after three petrol-laden tankers fell in Onitsha in the last three weeks, killing several persons and destroying properties.

Adinuba stated, “With effect from Saturday, November 2, 2019, such vehicles can be allowed to move within Anambra State from only 8pm to 5am.

“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 which sometimes result in conflagrations, as was the case in Onitsha on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, when a tanker laded with a petroleum product fell on the Enugu-Onitsha Highway and caused a fire that spread up to Ochanga Market through the open drainage,” he added.

The government directed the Anambra State Police Command and all other security agencies in the state to “religiously enforce” the restriction order.

The security agencies will ensure that tanker drivers do not exceed the speed limit of 90 kilometres per hour in all parts of the state.

“Any violation of either the time restriction order or the speed limit will be punished accordingly.

“The protection of the life and asset of every person in Anambra State cannot be compromised,” Adinuba warned.