PHALGA Boss Flays Indiscriminate Parking Of Tankers

The Port Harcourt City Lo
cal Government Council has frowned at the Indiscriminate Parking of Petroleum  tankers and dumping of refuse on the streets of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The Caretaker Committee  Chairman of the council, Barrister Clifford Oparaodu, who stated this on Monday after Inspecting some streets in Port Harcourt, warned that the council  will no longer tolerate petroleum  tankers ladden with petroleum products obstructing traffic at the UTC junction, Abonnema  Wharf, fly over and a sessions of Azikiwe  Road in the  state capital. Oparaodu noted that the tanker drivers parking indiscriminately   was not only obstructing traffic flow but poses serious risk to many road users, noting that the council’s call against the illegal and indiscriminate parking of trucks is against the mission  of the present administration aimed at ensuring free flow of traffic and returning  sanity to the state, especially the state capital.
According to him, “Attention of the council was drawn to the indiscriminate  parking of tanker trucks by drivers along the flyover, UTC junction and Azikiwe Road. This poses serious traffic congestion and hazard to other road  users. Several telephone calls have been received by members of the public, commuters’ taking exception to this hazardous act of  tanker drivers.”  He, however, called on the tanker drivers, NUPENG and other authorities concerned to advise the drivers to move their trucks from the places  they are presently parked.
“Some of the  trucks are parked in such a way that it is difficult  to see approaching  vehicles from the  opposing direction and that causes problem. Port Harcourt is already congested and clogged and we are looking for a way to decongest the city but  these drivers in the guise to hoard petroleum products decided to be parking their vehicles indiscriminately on the road without considering the comfort of other road users.
“I appeal to the drivers, the union and traffic division of the Police Force to adequately direct them to move these vehicles as lives and properties of others road users are put in danger and jeopardise”, he said.
He also warned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse adn empty can drinks along the streets, roads and in the drainage in the city, adding that there are designated places for dumping of refuse.
Oparaodu also warned residents of the city to be conscious that health is wealth disclosing that the council may consider setting up a tasks force that will start arresting and prosecuting offenders