Tankers drivers numbering over twenty (20)
used their trucks to block the only road in
Odukpani, Odukpani local government area of
Cross River State. The road links the State
with other parts of the Country.
The incident that occurred yesterday disrupted
traffic for several hours and the presence of
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) did not
make any difference as their efforts yielded
no positive results.
DAILY POST investigations revealed that
some tankers' drivers committed an
undisclosed offence and were escorted by the
Assistant Inspector General of Zone six
Monitoring units for arrest. Rather than submitting themselves for arrest, they drove recklessly and blocked the only access road to Cross River State.
"The association of Petroleum Tanker Drivers
in Calabar have taken over the Odukpani
junction, the only Road that links Calabar,
Cross River State Capital city with other parts
of Nigeria simply because some of their
members were arrested by the police for
some wrongdoings," an eyewitness told our
correspondent.
The same road, it was gathered links Calabar,
part of the Cross River Southern Senatorial
District with the Central and Northern District.
Road users travelling from within and outside
Calabar could not go out or come in.
"This road is a federal road and is blocked so
arrogantly because one 'Hausa' tanker driver
was arrested for wrongdoing! Can this rubbish
be allowed to happen anywhere in the North,"
Chief Asukwo Etim told DAILY POST.
"The government must urgently begin to adopt
measures that will permanently put an end to
this nonsense, the wings of these tankers'
drivers must be clipped by all means. Owners
of tankers whose drivers are caught flouting
Government orders must be severely punished
and sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to
others,",he stated.
"However, what Cross Riverians and non-Cross
Riverians are currently passing through in the
hands of what so many have described as
'Nigeria most powerful union' again reemphasised the need for all and sundry to support the Governor Benedict Ayade's Super
Highway initiative. The realisation of that project would definitely be a game changer for Cross Riverians and non Cross Riverians alike", he further stated.
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