…mulls scrapping of 60,000 litres petroleum truck
The Nigerian Midstream, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has begun engagements with related our bodies within the Nigerian Petroleum business to handle the rising instances of truck incidents within the nation.
In accordance with the Authority, fatalities recorded from highway accidents involving Petroleum loaded vehicles have been on the excessive facet, with 5 accidents, 121 fatalities and 79 accidents recorded in 2025.
Talking throughout a stakeholder assembly in Abuja on Wednesday, Farouk Ahmed, the Authority Chief Govt stated that truck incidents had been pointless and avoidable with complete adherence to security measures.
He stated, “Within the 12 months 2022, 4 highway tanker accidents had been recorded that led to 7 fatalities and three accidents. The variety of incidents decreased within the 12 months 2023 to 2, leading to 24 fatalities and 5 accidents. By the 12 months 2024, the variety of accidents elevated to 11 incidents resulting in 341 fatalities and 124 accidents.
“This 12 months to this point, we have now already recorded 5 highway tanker accidents resulting in 121 fatalities and 79 accidents. These incidents are pointless and unacceptable. They should be prevented and introduced all the way down to zero.”
He famous the mandatory measures to forestall and mitigate their prevalence to incorporate: Minimal Trade Security Coaching for Downstream Operators (MISTDO), which embrace coaching and retraining of drivers, motor boys, and all personnel concerned in downstream operations; set up of anti-spill security valves on all petroleum product tanker vehicles; implementation of safe-to-load initiatives, color coding and branding of all tank vehicles.
Different measures in accordance with the Ahmed are: dpot checks by FRSC on fatigued drivers and people below affect, sensitization of public concerning the risks of scooping the unstable hydrocarbons at accident websites and willpower of acceptable truck carrying capability (60,000 litres vs 45,000 litres) given the unfavorable impression on the roads.
Farouk defined that these had been arrived at by the business collectively, pursuant to learnings from earlier accidents and security research carried out to make sure that enterprise of vitality provision and distribution is carried out in a protected and safe method.
“It’s due to this fact unacceptable for any operator to conduct enterprise in contravention of established protocols and security necessities. It’s these contraventions, coupled with the poor situations of our transportation infrastructure which are resulting in the pointless accidents and unlucky lack of lives and properties.
“The truth that these accidents hold recurring is indicative of non-compliance by the business with the established security measures or that the measures are faulty. Consequently, we demand that every one events ought to guarantee strict compliance with the established security necessities,” he added.
Afolabi Olawole, secretary basic of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Pure Gasoline staff (NUPENG) in his remarks pressured on the necessity for collaboration amongst stakeholders in addition to honest consideration to curb the menace.
In accordance with him, insurance policies that shield the investments of truck homeowners should be thought of with a view to keep away from disruption in petroleum distribution. He additionally famous the impacts of dangerous roads which he stated was a serious explanation for raid accidents.
“NUPENG has been within the forefront of attempting to cut back incidents of accidents throughout the nation, we all know drivers are often pressured, and should have one ailment or the opposite. So we have now launched medical insurance scheme for them, from the little cash we have now we pay for them to entry well being care, in order that when they’re sick or pressured they will attend any close to by hospital so that they don’t drive when they’re sick or having any ailment. We additionally present social welfare scheme for each tanker driver.
“And we even have the difficulty of dangerous roads, irrespective of how good you might be, if the roads should not good it is going to trigger accident and the economic system scenario of the nation isn’t ok for traders, however we’re simply attempting. The homeowners of the truck, think about how costly it’s. To personal one single truck price virtually N150 million, to lose that to accident is disheartening.
“So NUPENG is prepared to company to make sure the protection of lives and properties not solely of our members however of most of the people, and we guarantee the Authority that we are going to do all we are able to to assist each good initiative they’re making, however in doing it, we must also contemplate that this motion ought to be simply and honest to the traders, as a result of we can not simply take coverage that may wipe away the traders. The traders are vital, I imply the homeowners of vehicles, so no matter authorities can do to mitigate the impression on the homeowners of vehicles, as a result of in the event that they don’t personal vehicles, we is not going to have our members driving the vehicles.
“In the event that they don’t personal vehicles, you’ll not have well-established system to get petrol. So we have to look and stability all of the conditions all collectively. However in abstract, NUPENG as a commerce organisation, accountable one, we’re prepared to cooperate, we’re prepared to assist and see how we are able to mitigate this incidents,” he stated.
