Tanker Drivers, FAAN Clash Imminent

By Joseph Inokotong

A face-off between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the tanker drivers is imminent as the agency is set to dislodge them from a parking lot located near the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
FAAN's move to evacuate the tanker drivers from this location is being resisted by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD).
If this imbroglio continues unabated, the country may soon wake up to face another round of petroleum product shortages, especially fuel, as this has been the pattern each time a problem of this nature arises.
Dependable source at FAAN told Newsday that the presence of the tankers at the park located near two tank farms with 20 million-liter capacity at the airport was giving the authorities serious concern.
The source said the parking of the tankers within metal fabrication radius, was posing a serious danger to the area.
According to him, the presence of the tankers at the airport, apart from constituting nuisance, has also attracted the attention of the National Security Adviser who directed FAAN to take urgent steps on the matter.
Newsday learnt that FAAN management, in a bid to carry out the directive, met with some oil marketers, operators of the Joint Users Hydrant Installation (JUHI) and Sahara Bulk Storage Facilities Limited and other stakeholders last week.
The Authority also discovered that the tankers, apart from loading aviation fuel, were parking at the lot.
The NUPENG Chairman at the Airport, Mr Bashiru Oladiti told Newsday that any attempt to relocate them forcefully would force members to go on strike.
He blamed the infiltration by tankers other than those carrying aviation fuels, on the failure on FAAN to fence the area.
Mr. Oladiti claimed that tanker drivers pay as much as N1.60k on every liter to FAAN for using the park.
Mr Enoch Kanawa, Chairman, National Association of Road Transport Operators (NARTO), noted that the problem between tanker drivers and FAAN had been lingering for years.
“Before now, we told them to remove all broken-down trailers in the area and we have also frowned at the presence of trailers not carrying JET A1 fuel”, he said.
FAAN's Director of Airport Operations, Mr John Ezenwankwo, who confirmed plans to relocate the tankers, said the Agency had been meeting with the unions to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
“We are looking at moving them before the end of the year, and we want to make sure it is done smoothly,'' he said.
“We want to educate them on the dangers posed even to their trucks and the industry in the event of any fire outbreak,'' he added.
Mr. Ezenwankwo advised the tanker drivers to make use of the Orile Park.
He said FAAN might consider constructing another park as a holding point for few tankers to discharge aviation fuel at the tank farms.