As drivers of tankers commence in the loading of refined petroleum products, there is palpable fear that gridlock that paralysed business activities in Apapa and its environs may return soon.
Acute fuel scarcity has paralysed business activities across the country due to lack of power and fuel supply.
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) had embarked on national industrial actions to protest non-payment of N200 billion debt owed marketers by the Federal Government.
At a meeting in Abuja, on Monday, called at the instance of the Senate committees on petroleum, it was agreed that PTD should begin loading, while marketers and depot owners should allow tanker drivers access to the depot to load fuel.
However, to forestall gridlock that arrested Apapa and its environs recently, Senator Magnus Abe, chairman, Senate Committee on Downstream, had explained that the committee would reach out to the Lagos State government on the agreement reached and the need for their contribution towards ensuring smooth lifting of fuel in all the depots.
Meanwhile, when NAIRAMETRICS visited depots to monitor loading, it was discovered that everything was going on smoothly.
Depots visited include those of NIPCo, Aiteo, A-Z, Mobil, Total and Conoil, all in Apapa.
Loading was also going on at Capital Oil depot, Ibeto depot, Ibru jetty and MRS depots respectively, all located on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway axis of Apapa.
Men of the Nigerian Navy were busy controlling movement of tankers from the Apapa-Wharf bridge to various depots in Apapa.
Loading at these depots were orderly, while the Naval officers ensured compliance to the 300-metre parking directive issued by the Lagos State government.
Another gridlock may return to Apapa, as marketers resume loading
