The recent commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery has reignited calls from oil marketers for the rapid completion of the Eleme road, a crucial access route to the facility. Under the umbrella of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), industry stakeholders expressed concerns over the dilapidated state of the Eleme-East-West road, which remains in poor condition, hindering transportation and raising safety issues. The contractors responsible for the renovation of the road are being urged to expedite their work given the critical nature of the route for the movement of petroleum products.
The Federal Government has previously voiced dissatisfaction with the slow progress of repairs, particularly after allocating a substantial advance payment of N33 billion to the contractor. Despite this financial commitment, the road’s persistent state of disrepair poses risks that have escalated safety concerns among oil marketers and transporters. The conditions of the Eleme road have been highlighted as hazardous, with pleas for immediate action to prevent potential disasters related to the transportation of flammable materials.
PETROAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Obele, emphasized that the urgency of completing the Eleme road is paramount to avert accidents involving trucks carrying hazardous petroleum products. He cautioned that the current state of the road could lead to overturned trucks, which have been responsible for significant accidents in the past. Obele’s statements underscore the need for the road to be made safer and more navigable, which is essential for ensuring the well-being of those transporting petroleum products to and from the refinery.
The tragic incident in Jigawa, where an overturned fuel tanker explosion resulted in the deaths of at least 157 people, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by inadequate road infrastructure and the flammable nature of the content being transported. This latest disaster has prompted further discourse among experts and stakeholders regarding the necessity for stringent measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again. Urgent improvements to transportation routes are vital to address the recurring issue of tanker explosions in Nigeria.
Furthermore, PETROAN expressed optimism regarding the economic implications of the refinery’s operational status. The association believes that the restart of production at the Port Harcourt refinery would not only create new job opportunities but also enhance overall economic activity in the region. This resurgence in refinery operations is expected to trigger competition within the downstream oil sector, presumably leading to more favorable pricing for consumers.
In addition, PETROAN took the time to acknowledge the cooperation extended by members of host communities to the workers engaged in the refinery’s rehabilitation. This collaboration is seen as a crucial component in facilitating the successful functioning of the refinery, and it highlights the role of community support in the broader context of Nigeria’s oil and gas landscape. Overall, the improvement of the Eleme road remains a pressing concern, with safety, economic growth, and community involvement all intertwined in the ongoing development of the Port Harcourt refinery and its surrounding infrastructure.
