The Nation Newspaper

Tag: order

  • Speed is good, but order is better

    SIR: “Grain by grain, a loaf; stone by stone a castle”, says a Yugoslavian proverb. Haile Gebrselassie is one of the word’s legends in marathon racing. Usain Bolt is the King of the legends of sprint racing – 100m and 200m dashes. Haile is good at sprint, so also Usain can make a good attempt at long distance running. But neither can be king in the other’s forte.

    Why? Because marathon and sprint are two different kinds of races with different requirements for excelling in either. The short and quick trip of a sprint requires expending more energy and swift speed than the long, onerous and systematic race of a marathon.

    Getting Nigeria back on track – revitalizing a moribund economy perfidiously left in shambles; securing Nigerians from insurgents and common criminals; uprooting corruption from the many nooks and crannies it has made home – will not be achieved in the wink of an eye.

    Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka says, and aptly so: “The economic condition of the nation of the people does not deteriorate overnight … A prolonged and unchecked process of attrition which was neglected in the past is now knocking on the door.”

    President Muhammadu Buhari has since resumption of office picked pace, step by step; starting systematically with the revival of the EFCC for his anti-graft fight. Thus setting the foundation for any work he will seek to achieve in office. It resonates with the indispensable fact that corruption cannot subsist with any development agenda that any government may seek to put in place.

    The full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) set the ball rolling for all round accountability, consolidation of government revenue and in effect curbing the systemic corruption of government agencies in remitting revenue back to government purse.

    The rejuvenation of our institutions bespeaks the reality of a system responding to the gradual process of change: all of a sudden, the EFCC sat up, so did the NCC and the CBN; the Custom Service had a revenue boost in its short period of changed leadership. As gradual and tardy as this change may seem, it is taking shape, form and setting the ground for soon coming results.

    The moral imperative of patience must be summoned for the months to come.

    Beyond the rhetoric and exuberance of transient hashtags reflecting an understandable desire from Nigerians for quick results and magic-wand change, President Buhari is laying a solid foundation for a robust, sustainable and revolutionary change agenda.

    Diversification of the economy – through exploiting the potentials of the agriculture, power, mining, technology and manufacturing sectors – is President Buhari’s economic roadmap to solving our current economic downturn, occasioned by our fixated over-reliance on oil which forms over 80% of our earnings that has now dropped to a record low of below $40 per barrel.

    Investments in these sectors will come from around the world. President Buhari’s trips to strategic events, countries and power states are well schemed to seeking critical assistance for this times.

    Has every tactical move, piece by piece produced results? My answer is a resounding Yes!

    Each of his trips has sought to build relationships that foster partnerships for solutions to Nigeria’s current myriad of problems.

    The foremost principle of international diplomacy is that no country should exist as an island on its own. It is more necessary than ever for Nigeria – in our dire and dicey mire – to hold hands even more tightly with our brothers in the international community as we seek their help to bringing solutions to the problems we face.

    For Nigeria: globalization and strengthened international relations at this time has the potentials for increased flow of trade, investment and technology – and that means, more jobs and improved living standards.

    As we run this marathon of change with the fortitude typical of the Nigerian people, let us hold on to the wisdom of these words: You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.

     

    • Johannes Tobi Wojuola,

    Abuja.

  • MINISTERIAL ORDER: NFF coughs out N100m

    MINISTERIAL ORDER: NFF coughs out N100m

    • Coaches’ salaries gulp N30m

    • Eagles’, others’ allowances, bonuses hit N50m
    • Outstandings to be paid this week

    Chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) surprised the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung on Thursday in Abuja when they presented a statement of account that shows that the body has N100 million from which cheques can be issued to pay for the coaches’, players and others being owed by the federation for services rendered.

    This staggering sum came from the sponsorship fees paid to the federation by some of its sponsors recently which needed to be paid into their accounts before any form of withdrawal can be done, with the consent  and approval of its supervising ministry.

    Consequently, the minister directed that the coaches’  salaries be paid immediately with words rife that the figure amounts to N30 million for all the national teams’ tacticians and supporting staff.

    Sportinglife scooped further that a staggering N50 milllion will be paid out to the coaches, players and supporting staff of all the national teams that partook in major and minor football competitions in the last six months.

    The largest sums will be paid to the coaches, players and officials of the Super Eagles for the two games against Swaziland where the team drew and won the games played.

    Word was rife that the money would be ransferred into the players’, coaches’ and supporting staff’s bank accounts in line with the government’s new policy on such matters.

  • Call Eze to order, Mimiko told

    Call Eze to order, Mimiko told

    the Akure National Union (ANU), Ibadan chapter, has asked Governor Olusegun Mimiko to take disciplinary actions against the Eze Ndigbo, Sir Gregory Ilehohika.

    The group in a statement by its President, Prof Abiodun Ayodele, said: “It is unbecoming for Iloehika to ridicule the Deji.

    “We call on Governor Mimiko to order Iloehika to apologise to the monarch for his insolence and disrespect for our traditional institution.

    “We do not query the need of our people to live in peace with other ethnic groups in Akureland, we frown at Iloehika’s act which, in our estimation, amounts to spitting on the face of all Akure sons and daughters on account of his wealth.

    “We love and respect our Igbo brothers and sisters, as well as their rights to do businesses and live well in our land. Of a truth, the Igbo have lived in Akureland for decades and one almost cannot distinguish between them and us as we inter-marry and jointly promote the land.

    “We, however, will not condone any act of insubordination to our traditional ruler or what we stand for as a people,” the union said.

     

  • Place order, drones ‘ll deliver to your doorsteps, says Yudala

    Place order, drones ‘ll deliver to your doorsteps, says Yudala

    The management of Yudala, Nigeria’s e-commerce platform, said the firm will deploy  drones to get products across to its customers to avoid delays caused by traffic snarls in major cities.

    Its Online Co-ordinator, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, who spoke in Lagos, said customers would get revolutionary experience of online retail with the launch of online shopping bay, adding that the firm is determined to fast-track products’ delivery nationwide with the aid of drones.

    He said: “We have acquired a few drones and working with partners in Asia to develop and deploy these Integrated Drones to avoid vehicular traffic in major cities in Nigeria. We are working to secure appropriate permits from the relevant government agencies. This will go live soon as we live up to our mandate of setting new milestones for the online retail business in the country.

    “We are extremely delighted with the reception of Yudala Online and the massive hits received on Yudala.com from the moment we went live on Monday. This is testimony to the fact that this is the revolution in e-commerce which every Nigerian has been waiting for.

    “For the first time ever in the history of e-commerce in Nigeria, the customer no longer has to face the uncertainty of where to turn for support. We offer core after-sales support on both warranty and out-of-warranty products purchased from our online platform or from any of our offline stores nationwide.

    “Most importantly, you are guaranteed peace of mind when you buy Yudala. Apart from the secure, safe shopping experience you enjoy on the website, every product carried on our platforms, either online or offline, comes directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). As a result, there are no issues of grey products finding its way into your hands. You also get to enjoy all risks cover (except theft) from Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc. on every product purchased from us. These are the bases for the Yudala management taking responsibility for every product purchased from and delivered by us.”

    He expressed delight with the visits to the e-commerce platform which officially went live late last month with the company taking to its social media pages and other channels to thank Nigerians for their resounding patronage and acceptance of the medium.

    He said: “Thousands of enthusiastic shoppers besieged the Yudala website, which went live at 12 noon to take advantage of the mega deals and other mouth-watering promotions on offer which ended at the weekend. Yudala Online processed orders and other enquiries from all over the country including Ghana, Cameroon and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa while huge discounts and millions of freebies were enjoyed by shoppers.”

    Yudala had launched its Offline Stores Division with simultaneous roll-out of four stores in Lagos: two Experience and two Smart Stores – in July before following it up with the unveiling of its e-commerce platform and the roll-out of more physical retail stores in various locations across the country. These locations include Abuja, Owerri, Asaba, Warri, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Uyo.

    Yudala enjoys strong partnership and comparative advantage for products from major brands including HP, Apple, Lenovo, Tecno Mobile, INNJOO, Infinix, X-Touch, Wiko Phones, SONY, YEZZ, DELL, Philips, ITEL, IBM, Microsoft, APC Schneider, Cisco, Canon, D-Link and many more  in the ICT space, with the company expected to roll out additional product lines such as consumer lifestyle, urbane fashion, food, wines and spirits, healthy living products, consumer electronics and many more in segments soon.

    Backed by its multi-pronged yet standard business model, the company has a bold ambition to dictate the pace and set new milestones for online and offline retail business, with the delivery of world class products and services in every Yudala store and on the online platform.

     

  • Enforce that order

    •Policemen and doctors who fail to heed the IG’s order that victims of gunshot wounds be treated unconditionally should be punished

    The age-long directive that has denied victims of gunshot wounds treatment has been lifted by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase. Reacting to the lives lost in the process of seeking police report, and the relentless cries by families of the victims and the general public, the IGP said lives must be saved first.

    Till date, no one has produced the directive that has seen doctors turning away patients, many of them victims of horrendous attacks by armed robbers, cultists and hoodlums. Many hapless citizens have been caught in the crossfire between gangs, and in some cases as the policemen engage criminals in shoot-outs. Hospitals turn down the victims based on experiences they had in the hands of policemen and the gangs.

    Unfortunately, the experience is not limited to private hospitals. Even general and teaching hospitals are known to have come up with flimsy excuses to dodge the responsibility of saving lives. While they do not directly ask for police report, they are known to hide behind non-availability of specialists and bed space.

    It should be realised that every life is precious. No doctor should be told that they swore to the Hippocratic Oath to save lives at all times. It is therefore untenable to avoid the sacred duty under any excuse.

    We also call on the IGP to go beyond this fresh directive. We remind him that this is not the first time such an order would be issued. One of his predecessors, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, had similarly warned policemen against harassing doctors for performing their duty. The instruction was backed by former health minister, Unyebuchi Chukwu, who called on doctors to focus more on caring for all patients before attending to the requirements. The minister assured them of the support of government at all levels. Yet, doctors appear too frightened to heed the call.

    We call on Mr. Arase to go beyond the verbal order, to send signals to the commands and institute punishment for violators. Nigeria cannot afford the needless loss of lives. The ministries of health and police affairs should also collaborate in organising seminars to promote good relations between the two services. The police force in particular has a duty to improve on its public image. Many citizens refuse to accept them as friends. Rather, they are regarded as fiends who must be avoided at all cost. The people refuse to pass information to the law enforcement agents for fear that it would be leaked to criminals or that the complainant, when they seek solace, could be turned to the accused.

    For the same reason, accident victims have been left unattended to by the public. Many tell stories of woes in the hands of the police for merely lending helping hands to accident victims. This is particularly so when such victims die in the process of caring for them.

    Agencies of government at all levels like the departments of information, the National Orientation Agency and the ministries of health should step up campaigns to get the people to be more compassionate in attending to accident and gunshot wound victims.

    As is the case in developed countries, the ambulance service in all states of the country should be adequately funded and equipped to cater for victims of any form of accident – domestic, motor, collapsed building, fire or gunshot within reasonable time. This has the twin advantage of affording the victims first aid treatment and shutting out the fear of victimisation by public-spirited individuals who first reached them. This also connotes that there should be functional short-code emergency numbers on which the ambulances and emergency services could be reached. We note here the good work done by the Lagos State government and commend same to other governments.

    If Nigerians wish to be treated as members of the decent and humane world, public officials have to treat the public with utmost decorum.

  • ‘Buhari’s resolve to probe Jonathan’s administration in order’

    ‘Buhari’s resolve to probe Jonathan’s administration in order’

    Abayomi Sheba is a former member of the House of Representatives. He is the Commissioner representing Ondo State on the board of the Federal Character Commission. In this interview with reporters, he speaks on the appointments by President Muhammadu Buhari and the decision to probe the administration of his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI was there.

    As a member of the Federal Character Commission, what is your reaction to appointments made so far by President Muhammadu Buhari?

    So far, the President has acted well as an experienced administrator by going for the best hands. The appointments of Service Chiefs were based purely on merit. It was devoid of political considerations and ethnic or primordial cleavages. He has not acted contrary to the laws of the land because, less than five per cent of the available appointments have been filled. Even as it is, there is no geo-political zone that is not represented. By the time all the appointments are made, I believe every state will be represented.

    Has he breached any provision of the law on appointments?

    Not yet because appointments into all the available vacancies in the present administration have not been concluded. Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.” This section was amplified by the provisions in Part 1 (C) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and made justiceable by the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act Cap F7 LFN 2004. Key appointments such as that of the the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Chief of Staff, Ministers, Executive Directors and Board members are yet to be appointed. Consequently it will preposterous to draw any conclusion now.

    How can the fear of the people be allayed that the President has not shown bias in his appointments?

    The fears of our people can only be allayed by the President through strict adherence to the letters of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and all the extant rules and laws that governs appointment to public office in Nigeria. As I said earlier, the President is not a novice, he knows the law and I am sure he will apply it as it is and not as it ought to be.

    How can the crisis rocking the National Assembly be amicably resolved?

    My appeal to the principal actors and all the dramatis personae in the National Assembly imbroglio is for them to toe the path of constitutionality and respect the supremacy of the Political Parties that sponsored them. There is no provision yet in our constitution for independent candidacy. Hence the parties must be respected as it’s the norm in advanced democracy. Take for instance in South Africa, Thabo Mbeki was asked to step down as President by his party, the ANC, and he complied. Parties should be strengthened so that they can maintain discipline.

    The time to work hard is now. They must forget all their bickering and move on with the job they are elected to do. To whom much is given, much is expected. There is so much work to be done. We need laws to tackle corruption, insecurity, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, etc. The electorates are tired of the infighting in the House. They should get back to the business they are elected to do and that is legislating for good governance and the well being of Nigeria.

    What is your reaction to the constituting the federal cabinet delay more than two months after assuming office?

    The President has not breached any law in this regard. I am sure he is taking his time to have a full grasp of what is on ground before assigning roles to people. When President Obama was first elected, it took him almost seven months before appointing his cabinet. Ditto the late President Umaru Yar Adua in 2007 appointed his ministers almost three months after inauguration. It is better to understand fully what’s on ground before constituting the cabinet, than coming in with wrong people. In any case, the President has promised to do this in September. So, let’s wait for him. Nigeria this time around deserves the best.

    The President has declared his intention to probe the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. What is your view on this?

    If we must reckon with what we are reading about the last administration on the social media, I think the era must be probed. How would ministers be stealing over one million barrels of crude oil per day? If it’s true, it’s scandalous and cruel. The probe should however be targeted at recovery of our stolen wealth and patrimony. Culprits should be punished according to the laws of the land to serve as deterrent to others.

    Are you in favour of slashing salaries and allowances of lawmakers, which have been described as outrageous?

    On salaries of National Assembly members, sincerely speaking nothing is wrong or outrageous with the salaries as proposed by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC). The problem is the bogus allowances injected into the budget when preparing the budget. This must be discouraged by this administration. Nigeria must rise again, because change has come.

    What is the best way for President Buhari to checkmate corruption?

    We must be able to identify the loopholes and leakages in the system and plug them. While I urge the President to reward hardwork, industry and good behavior, sanctions must be meted out for any act of impunity and any anti-social acts. We must also strengthen all the anti corruption agencies in the land, and review outdated anti-corruption laws.

    The recent bail-out to states by the Federal Government has been attracting mixed reactions. What is your view on it?

    It’s a right step in the right direction. I give kudos to Mr. President. Even Greece was given a lifeline recently by the European Union (EU). So, nothing is wrong with that. But, it’s important that states must make judicious use of the money and it must not be diverted. It must be used for the purpose for which it was granted. States must also diversify their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) mechanism, so that they will not always go cap in hand to the federal government.

  • In order

    In order

    The Buhari administration deserves commendation, not condemnation, for calling on former public officers to account for their stewardship

    The on-going probe of activities of some officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration has continued to attract the attention of Nigerians. The search of the residence of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has particularly generated some controversy. Some have come up with conspiracy theories on the reasons behind what they consider the former NSA’s ordeal. It has been suggested that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the search acting on vendetta informed by a 30-year-old grudge against Col. Dasuki who was said to have effected the arrest of General Buhari when his military administration was sacked in August 1985. Others claim it is the beginning of a massive witch-hunt of those who served under the Jonathan administration. Curiously, no evidence has been produced to support the theories.

    The fact, as known today, is that officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) went to the home of the former NSA to effect a warrant for search obtained from a court of law. No one has said the DSS officials broke into the house as was the case under the military. They are said to have introduced themselves and shown the warrant. In response to the suggestion that the siege on the house lasted longer than necessary, thus constituting harassment, the DSS has explained that they were delayed because the search was resisted by military men on guard duty at the house.

    We find the explanations of the DSS credible and laudable. President Buhari received the mandate of Nigerians to cleanse the Augean stables left by his predecessor. He has vowed to recover looted funds and bring those found culpable of subverting national security and economy to book. So far, we do not see how he has stepped out of line.

    We call on Col. Dasuki and others who served under the former government who might be invited for interview by the security agencies to cooperate as no one is above the law. It is instructive that all who are being called to serve the state would at some point have to render account of their stewardship. Those who have served conscientiously have nothing to fear as the public is watching keenly for any suggestion that such an exercise is about witch-hunt.

    We support the conduct of the DSS in their efforts. The service promptly issued a release explaining why the search was necessary and how it was handled. No one has come forth with a contrary statement. The allegation of treasonable felony is too serious to be ignored by any responsible government. The result of the search, too, cannot be overlooked. They speak volumes about the rot that was the order of the day under the Jonathan administration. How did a retired colonel acquire 12 cars, five of which were bullet-proof? Were they official or private? If official, were they disclosed in the NSA’s handover note? Then, what was he doing with so many assault rifles? If allowed by the rules of engagement, he should be cleared. But if not, he deserves to be duly tried and punished.

    We wish to state, however, that the seizure of Col. Dasuki’s passport is unconstitutional as it was not based on a court order. Every accused is innocent until proven guilty and as such basic rights should not be violated. The international passport is the right of every Nigerian that cannot be whimsically withdrawn.

    The case of the former Chief Security Officer to Dr. Jonathan, Mr. Gordon Obua ,is not much different. He is an official of the DSS and as he has come out to explain, his employers have the right, and indeed, duty, to recall him for questioning as might be deemed fit at any point in time. We therefore call on all security agencies that might have cause to interrogate him and others to be civil in their approach and respect his fundamental rights. People under such circumstances deserve access to their lawyers as and when they might deem it fit and should not be restrained from receiving visitors at any point in time unless the courts sanction such strict isolation.

    All said, it is about time all Nigerians realised that officials are servants of the people and have no right to use their offices to do anything that cannot stand up to scrutiny. We call for a speedy investigation of all the allegations and openness in the process.

  • Agency turns down order

    THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday turned down an order requesting it to vacate the residence of Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, in Lagos.

    The agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mitchel Ofoyeju, spoke in a statement in Lagos .

    Ofoyeju said the agency received a court order to vacate the residence and directed both Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Bello Adoke and Chairman, NDLEA Ahmed Giade to appear in court.

    According to the statement, the NDLEA did not believe that any court would issue such warrant preventing any agency to perform its statutory role as drug trafficking law enforcement agency.

    Ofoyeju said the agency would continue to maintain its stand on monitoring the residence of the senator-elect in preparation for his extradition after his appearance in court.

    “The NDLEA wishes to reiterate that his rights like that of other citizens shall be respected and the due process of law followed in this case.

    “The agency is prepared to further increase its public rating and goodwill in the areas of suspect handling.

    “Respect for human rights and the rule of law.

    “We are prepared to explore all legal means in handling this case to a logical conclusion,” the statement said.

    Ofoyeju said that the Federal Government had received request from the United States Government for the extradition of Kashamu.

    He said that the U.S government had also provided warrant of arrest on him contrary to what his attorneys said that there was no warrant of arrest to effect their actions.

    “According to official record, Kashamu has been a target of both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration.

    “In addition with Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for over 20 years.

    “He was further indicted by the Grand Jury in the Northern District of Illinois, United States on heroin trafficking charges, ‘’ the statement said

     

  • Order to pay subsidy claim inapplicable, says DMO

    The legal tussle between the Debt Management Office (DMO) and Ecobank has hit the brickwall with the DMO insisting that the court order directing it to pay Ecobank subsidy claims is inapplicable.

    Reacting to last week’s court order, the DMO told The Nation at the weekend that it does “not handle money relating to petroleum subsidy claims and has never been responsible for transferring money to any oil marketer. So, how can it obey this inapplicable order?”

    The persistent legal action instituted against the DMO has been described as an “absurdity and irregularity asking DMO to transfer money belonging to Deepwater to their account with Ecobank whereas DMO does not have any money to transfer and is not responsible for payments; it only issues Sovereign Debt Notes (SDNs), as mandated by the PPPRA (Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency) and approved by the minister”.

    The DMO expressed serious concerns over the safety of its boss the director-general by asking how it can “protect the DMO and the D-G against the attack of the other five entities that are also pursuing their own respective suits in other courts, contesting for the money attached to the same claim of Deepwater Discovery Limited”.

    DMO accused Ecobank and its lawyers of “using the court process to pile pressure on the D-G, without giving any consideration to the legitimate issues he has raised, stressing that as “Ecobank and their lawyer, Kunle Ogunba are personalizing their court attacks on the D-G of DMO and his Officer, one can imagine that the pressure on the D-G is becoming unbearable”.

    The DMO said: “Ecobank is encouraged by the claim of Kunle Ogunba that the Attorney-General of the Federation has directed DMO in writing, for the second time, to pay the sums of money to Ecobank – not minding that DMO neither keeps nor pays money relating to oil marketers, such as deepwater.”

    Observers have cautioned that the persistent “attacks on the persons of the D-G and his officer aims to simply constrain them to release the SDN (not money) to the Ecobank and their lawyer, if only to save their heads”.

    It was gathered that the  claim for payment by Ecobank, against the First Deepwater Discovery Ltd (FDDL) is actually a contest between Ecobank and five other claimants to the same money with each brandishing what they believe is a compelling case against the company.

    According to a concerned party to the claims, “the case in point is clearly, a subtle attempt to force the DMO to take sides in a clearly very complex and convoluted matter which is before a court of law”.

    According the official, “the other claimants to the same monies have also obtained court order/judgment demanding the DMO to pay the same monies to them.”

  • Tanker drivers decry Lagos Govt vacation order

    The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) yesterday said the Lagos State Government order to its members would have a devastating effect on the economy.

    Its President, Mr Salimon Oladiti, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the multiplier effect of the directive might have grave consequences for the country.

    “The implication of the vacation order to truck owners/drivers will have devastating effect on the nation’s economy,” he warned.

    Oladiti, represented by his spokesperson, Mr Abdulkadir Garba, said the drivers were ready to comply with the order.

    He, however, said it would not be easy to return the trucks to Lagos to lift fuel after being chased out hurriedly.

    The union, he said, had met with the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and directed all its members to comply with the 48-hour ultimatum to leave the road.

    On May 13, the government gave the ultimatum to the drivers to vacate the bridge.

    The ultimatum followed the persistent traffic gridlock in Apapa which spilled over to other parts of the metropolis.

    The drivers, who parked within 300 meters of fuel depots, were ordered to relocate to safe parking lots pending the availability of petroleum products.

    Oladiti said though the time and condition given to the drivers were not convenient, they complied as law abiding citizens.

    He said more than 6,000 trucks thronged Lagos to load fuel based on information by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that it had 1.2 billion litres of fuel in stock.

    The PTD president said the union discovered that only six fuel depots in Lagos had the product.

    “Now that we have obeyed the order and the trucks are moving out of Lagos back to their different destinations without lifting products it will take time to persuade them to go back to Lagos.

    ‘‘This is because of the losses they have incurred which were as a result of uncertainty, the tanker owners and the drivers will be wary of taking another risk to come to Lagos even if there is fuel,’’ he said.

    He expressed fears that the development would worsen the lingering fuel scarcity.