By Mohammad Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Governor of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria, Nasir El-Rufai has given tanker drivers 12 months to stop parking on all highways in the state – he asked them to come up with alternative plan for parking their vehicles.
He said parking tanker vehicles along Marabar Jos, along Kaduna – Zaria express way and Tafa, along Kaduna – Abuja express will not longer be acceptable by his administration.
The Governor stated this while receiving National Leaders of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association at the Government House, Kaduna.
The Governor said many lives were lost as a result of such illegal parking.
“We must find a solution to this problem of tankers being parked by roadside, most especially along Tafa, Marabar Jos and Pambegua. We are aware of accidents caused by this vehicles which led to so many lives been lost.
“I lost a brother in-law about 20 years ago, because of this and now that we have opportunity to correct this we must find a solution to it. We are not blaming anybody, but we must look for a solution to end this.
“In the next 12 months we will make sure no tanker vehicle is parked by highway within kaduna state. We will partner with your association to find a lasting solution to it,” he said.
El-Rufai also charged the National Leaders to come up with a solution on ways to clear the highways so as to save lives of innocent motorists in the state.
Earlier, PTD National chairman, Salman Akande Oladiri expressed readiness to partner and cooperate with the governor to bring a lasting solution to the problem.
According to him, they came to kaduna to rejoice with El-Rufai over his victory at the last election.
He said they will also pay a similar visit to Sokoto and Plateau states.
Comrade Oladiri also urged El-Rufai to intervene in the leadership crisis that existed in the state chapter of the PTD.
