By Editor
Following traffic jam which has greeted the State metropolis amidst the ongoing scarcity of premium motor spirit (petrol) as motorists and other users struggle to get the product, the Lagos State Government (LASG) on Monday warned petrol stations against causing traffic gridlock while dispensing fuel to customers.
The Government cautioned retail outlets operating in the State against poor coordination or hoarding of the product that could lead to obstruction of traffic flow in the metropolis, warning it would be deploying its monitoring team to check out for defaulters.
The State Ministry of Transportation gave the warning in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola.
“In the face of the current fuel scarcity, we appeal to fuel stations that have fuel to dispense in the metropolis to ensure that queues of vehicles waiting to obtain supplies do not obstruct the free flow of traffic.
“The Ministry of Transportation views with great concern the disruption of traffic flow by patrons at fuel stations, as the resulting gridlock adversely affects the economic activities of individuals and corporate bodies.
“The ministry, while advising operators of fuel stations to be orderly by ensuring that their patrons do not constitute any clog to the free flow of traffic, further warns against being sanctioned for non-compliance,” she said.
Ogunlola said that the state’s law enforcement agencies were on surveillance to enforce compliance.
The Ministry added that the it would continue to monitor the traffic situation, while calling on the general public to report fuel stations disrupting movement through its hotlines.
Heavy traffic jam hit the State metropolis more on Monday, leaving commuters stranded, as queues from fuel stations joining into the roads caused obstructions that informed gridlock across the State. This is just as commercial motorists laid heavy charges on commuters, raising transport fare exorbitantly, averaging about 80 – 90% hike, a development that left many stranded. Projection has shown the scarcity would linger through Tuesday, as price alteration speculations leave retail marketers hoarding the product.