Deplorable East-West road affecting effective distribution of PMS from PH refinery— PETROAN  

Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has blamed the seaming hitches in the distribution of petroleum products from the Port Harcourt Refinery to filling stations on the bad state of access road to the facility. PETROAN frowned at the slow pace of work on the Eleme section of the East-West road, stating that the slow pace of work on the road is sabotaging the effort of President Bola Tinubu to ensure smooth distribution of petroleum products to retail outlets. The National President of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Gillis Harry, in a statement in Port Harcourt, said over 60 retail outlets are affected by the impact of the poor condition of the road on distribution of petroleum products.
 Harry in a statement signed by Dr. Joseph Obele, National PRO, PETROAN, said many tankers are using the road to transport fuel to filling stations, adding that further delay in completing the construction of the road would be detrimental. He said “the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has expressed concern over the slow pace of work by Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) on the Eleme East-West Road. The National President of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Gillis Harry, said RCC’s slow pace of work is sabotaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to ensure smooth distribution of petroleum products from the newly commissioned Port Harcourt refinery. Despite receiving N33 billion from the Federal Ministry of Works. PETROAN, in a statement, said that about 60 retail outlets are negatively impacted by the road construction and requests adequate compensation for owners of those filling stations. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, in a previous press conference, has also complained about the slow approach of RCC, leading to the issuance of a 7-day ultimatum by the Honourable Minister.
 “Thousands of petroleum trucks will be using the road to convey products from the newly inaugurated Port Harcourt refinery; hence, further delay is detrimental. The Eleme East-West Road is a critical route for the transportation of petroleum products, and its safety is paramount.” Harry said the condition of the road poses major risk to trucks using the road from accidents and disaster, urging the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to make efforts to complete the road. “The road’s deplorable condition poses a significant risk to trucks carrying petroleum products, which could lead to catastrophic accidents and environmental disasters. PETROAN is calling on President Tinubu to evaluate the ongoing contract by RCC in line with the contract timeline. This move would consolidate his renewed hope agenda by ensuring the timely completion of the Eleme East-West Road project. Furthermore, PETROAN is calling on the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to fast-track the contract evaluation process and take decisive action to address the slow pace of work by RCC” he said.