Oil marketers have commenced lifting petrol at Ejigbo depot in Lagos and Mosinmi depot in Ogun State with as many as over 4,000 trucks on the queue, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN correspondent, who monitored the loading activities on Monday in Lagos and Ogun State, confirmed that loading of petrol commenced at both depots with trucks coming from the northern part of the country.
It will be recalled that depots in the South West were shut in Sept.18 and Sept. 22 due to pipeline vandalism in Arepo.
Mr Ayo Alanamu, the Acting Chairman, IPMAN in Ejigbo Satelite Depot, confirmed to NAN that they received the product at the weekend and loading commenced immediately.
Alanamu said that this would reduce stress of loading at Apapa depot, adding that marketers were now relieved.
He assured consumers that they would now get petrol at approved depot price.
“Over 2,000 trucks drivers have been sleeping here in the last three weeks in anticipation that they will receive the product as its very difficult to park at Apapa.
“We hope that pumping of product to this depot will last and ease the suffering of loading at Apapa jetty.
“We, IPMAN at Ejigbo Satellite depot, have given our words to support Federal Government in fighting vandals along the western coast,’’ he said.
At Mosinmi depot, an official of PPMC who proffered anonymity, confirmed to NAN that pumping and loading of petrol had since commenced.
The source said that lifting of petrol commenced immediately the directive was received from Abuja to start operation and this was done throughout the weekend and Monday morning.
A truck driver, Mallam Kabir Sanni, told NAN that he was happy that he could load from Mosinmi.
“Most of us came as far as from Abuja, Kaduna and Kano to load petrol since three weeks, but found it extremely difficult to load at Apapa.
“I beg the official of this depot to work throughout the day and night so that many trucks will load and leave for their destination on time,’’ Sanni said.