The Federal Government has announced that it may ban trucks with 60,000-litre capacity from operating on federal highways. This announcement is prompted by the rising number of deaths from petrol tanker accidents, totaling 493 in the last three years.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, disclosed this during its stakeholders engagement Meeting in Abuja. The meeting focused on providing lasting solutions to the recurring issues of road tanker accidents.
FG discussed that the ban is required as it is aimed at reducing fatalities from petroleum tanker accidents to zero. The federal government in its proposal to stakeholders, stated that tankers be restricted to a maximum of 45000 liters.
According to Ahmed, the number of fatalities from tank explosions has increased, rising from seven in 2022 to 24 in 2023. Also, he mentioned that, as of two months into 2025, the current rate is 121, compared to 341 deaths in 2024.
The CEO explained that the FG has put preventive measures in place to prevent accidents because they are unnecessary and unacceptable. He revealed that one of the measures is the mandatory installation of anti-spill safety valves in all tanker trucks.
Furthermore, there will be the implementation of safe loading initiatives, including the color coding of all tank trucks. He added that the FRSC will conduct spot checks to identify fatigued drivers and those under the influence of drugs.
Ahmed emphasized that the requirements were jointly agreed upon by the industry, following learnings from previous accidents and safety studies conducted to reduce the accidents.
The NMDPRA boss added the inability of operators to abide by the established Protocols and requirements is also responsible for these accidents. Therefore, it is unacceptable for an operator to conduct business in violation of established protocols.
