FG could ban vans as tanker fireplace claims 493

The Federal Authorities, by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, has mentioned that it could impose a ban on vans with 60,000-litre capability, stopping them from working on federal highways.

This follows the growing variety of deaths ensuing from petrol tanker accidents, which has led to the dying of 493 individuals in three years.

The federal government, in a proposal to stakeholders, needs tankers restricted to a most of 45,000 litres.

It mentioned this ban is a part of a possible advice aimed toward decreasing fatalities from petroleum tanker accidents to zero.

The Chief Government Officer of the NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, disclosed this at a stakeholder’s engagement on the recurrence of highway tanker accidents held at its headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

The assembly sought to supply lasting options to the frequent accidents involving petroleum tankers, which have resulted in lack of lives and property.

In his deal with, the ACE mentioned the general public is in search of intervention to guard lives and properties as the federal government recorded 493 deaths from petroleum truck-related accidents from 2022 to this point.

In response to him, the carnage from the Petroleum truck explosion has been on the rise from seven recorded in 2022 to 24 deaths in 2023, whereas 341 died in 2024; the carnage charge has already hit 121 in 2025, which is barely two months from its starting.

Ahmed, who described the rising variety of accidents and fatalities as unacceptable, mentioned pressing steps have been wanted to make sure security within the transportation of petroleum merchandise throughout the nation.

He mentioned, “We’re right here right this moment to debate the current pattern in highway tanker accidents and the resultant fatalities and different penalties. The general public is watching helplessly and looking out ahead to intervention to guard lives and properties.

“Within the 12 months 2022, 4 highway tanker accidents have 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 now have 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 right down to zero.”

Ahmed mentioned the incidents are pointless and unacceptable for the reason that authority has already put preventive measures in place.

He mentioned the measures embody, “dedication of an acceptable truck carrying capability of (60,000 litres versus 45,000 litres) given the unfavourable affect on the roads.”

He additionally famous that a few of the measures put in place to forestall such accidents embody Minimal Business Security Coaching for Downstream Operators, which incorporates coaching and retraining of drivers, motor boys, and all personnel concerned in downstream operations.

He mentioned there was the necessary set up of anti-spill security valves on all petroleum product tanker vans.

Ahmed additionally mentioned there must be the implementation of safe-to-load initiatives, “Color coding and branding of all tank vans. Spot checks by FRSC on fatigued drivers and people beneath the affect. Broadcast post-crash emergency numbers and first responders to cordon off accident websites. Enlightenment and sensitization of the general public concerning the risks of scooping the risky hydrocarbons at accident websites. Common conferences with stakeholders. Regulating route administration by designating routes and commuting occasions.”

The NMDPRA boss recalled that the necessities have been arrived at by the trade collectively, pursuant to learnings from earlier accidents and security research carried out to make sure that the enterprise of vitality provision and distribution is carried out safely and securely.

He burdened that it’s, subsequently, unacceptable for any operator to conduct enterprise in contravention of established protocols and security necessities.

He mentioned it was the contraventions, coupled with the poor circumstances of the transportation infrastructure which might be resulting in pointless accidents and unlucky lack of lives and properties.

“It’s subsequently unacceptable for any operator to conduct enterprise in contravention of established protocols and security necessities. It’s these contraventions, coupled with the poor circumstances of our transportation infrastructure, which might be resulting in pointless accidents and unlucky lack of lives and properties.

“The truth that these accidents maintain recurring is indicative of non-compliance by the trade 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.

“In our deliberations right this moment, we should always look at the defects which might be noticed in these security provisions and agree on essential actions to shut these gaps.

In response to him, the truth that these accidents maintain recurring is indicative of noncompliance by the trade with the established security measures or that the measures are faulty.

Nonetheless, opposing the potential ban on 60,000-litre capability tankers, the President of the Nationwide Affiliation of Highway Transport Homeowners, Yusuf Othman, mentioned such a transfer would result in a possible lack of over N300bn funding.

Othman defined that there are at present about 2,000 vans with 60,000 litres capability concerned within the transportation of petroleum merchandise with every costing over N150m.

He said, “We’re saddened by these occurrences and we consider measures should be taken to keep away from future occurrences. However, in doing that, we have to keep away from being sentimental in ensuring selections in order that we don’t throw the newborn out with the bathwater.

“I need to remind everyone right here that transporters are traders and these investments are enormous. Any truck that hundreds 60,000 litres should be a truck with a powerful and sound engine at a mean value of N150m. By our estimation, we now have 2,000 of them. We’re speaking about N300bn investments, a few of which have been financed by banks and different lenders.”

“We consider that essential measures must be in place which might be going to cease the occurrences. However in doing that, we should be cautious and keep away from being sentimental in taking sure positions on this concern.”

He sought authorities intervention for the development of the situation of the highways. He mentioned there’s a sturdy correlation between the situation of the roads and accidents.

He urged the general public to all the time keep away from petroleum merchandise laden vans as a result of they’re extremely inflammable.