Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere has again demonstrated his ingenuity in crisis management as he waded in a rift between security agencies operating in the State and Petroleum Truck drivers over adulterated petroleum products.
Instead of face-off between the two, he calls for synergy between them.
Madumere who received a delegation of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in the South East and Petroleum Truck Drivers in Imo State led by Morrison Nwokedi and Donatus Onu respectively in his office on Tuesday, February 7, regretted the avoidable altercation, which led to the alleged seizure of 12 petroleum trucks by officers of the 34 Artillery Brigade Command, Obinze, Imo State he said such act was capable of sparking off security disorder and artificial petroleum scarcity in the State .
He pointed out that Imo people should not be made to suffer by such avoidable incidents, adding that the comfort and welfare of Imo citizens remain the utmost concern of the Rescue Mission Government.
He advocated a monthly or quarterly meeting between security agencies and petroleum truck drivers in the state to jointly take proactive measures in managing avoidable misunderstandings.
The Deputy Governor promised to ensure that the seized trucks are released to avoid unnecessary queue at filling stations in Imo.
Earlier in his speech , the leader of the team and South East Zonal Director of DPR , Nwokedi said the visit was to intimate the Deputy Governor on the challenges facing the petroleum truck drivers, petroleum Independent marketers and DPR in the state in the cause of bringing petroleum products to the State .
Morrison on his part pointed out that the environment in the state was not conducive for them to operate, adding that they are regularly harassed by security operatives in the state.
He insisted that security agencies have no right to stop petroleum tankers on motion and impound their trucks over adulteration, pointing out that only the Department of Petroleum Resources is authorised by law to declare petroleum product adulterated.
Morrison solicited government’s intervention to restore sanity in the system and provide petroleum marketers a conducive environment to operate in.
Speaking, chairman of Petroleum Truck Drivers in Imo, Onu lamented over the incessant harassment by security agencies, especially the army.
He recalled how 12 petroleum trucks belonging to a petroleum marketer in the State were impounded by the Nigeria Army over a month despite proofs that the products were not adulterated and called for government intervention.
Uche Onwuchekwa
Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Imo State