The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has given tanker drivers parking along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, 48 hours to relocate to the new site provided by the agency.
Mr Edward Olarerin, Regional Manager (RM), South-West of the agency, gave the order on Friday at a stakeholders meeting between FAAN, security agents and oil marketers.
He said that the order was given in lieu of the security challenges confronting the country.
Olarerin said that the agency would not tolerate the four-year tenure the oil marketers were requesting at their current site.
“Why the presidency descends on us heavily is because of national security and the airport is one of the major focuses of the government.
“The directive from Abuja is that we must move everybody out urgently.
“Most of the tankers at the old site are broken down and these vehicles can be use by miscreant for illegal activities.
“The oil marketers should understand the position we are now– security and safety.
“Any truck found there after two days of the directive will be arrested,” he said.
He said that the airport was the gateway to the nation, hence, “anybody visiting the country passing through the road will see us as unserious.
“The new site is behind the bus park at the Hajj Camp, along the MMIA road.
“The place is well compacted now and ready to be used. It is better than where they were before,” Olarerin said.
Mr Tayo Aboyeji, Secretary General, Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), said that the two-day ultimatum was acceptable to them.
Aboyeji said that the marketers were ready to relocate, as far as the new site would be comfortable for their business.
