By Demilade AdeniyiLagos State Government yesterday directed all major and independent petroleum marketers operating along major roads in the state to open only between 9am and 4pm on week days.
The government warned that any marketer who flouted the directive henceforth would be heavily sanctioned.
The directive, according to the government is to help reduce the impact of their activities on traffic situation which continued to worsen as the scarcity of the essential commodity lingers.
The Commissioner of Transportation Dr Frederic Oladeinde who disclosed this on Thursday directed all independent and major oil marketers with retail outlets on major roads within the metropolis of Lagos to comply with the directive.
The move becomes imperative in order to check motorists queuing up indiscriminately on the road and bridges to buy petroleum products thereby impeding free flow of traffic.
Oladeinde said the 9am to 4pm order would be sustained until the fuel shortage crisis subsides.
He added that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Transport Operations Compliance Unit (TOCU) and other Law Enforcement Agencies have been charged to ensure seamless flow of traffic across the State.
He warned all major and Independent Petroleum Marketers to comply with the directive or be sanctioned.