Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have proffered solutions to the incessant petroleum tanker accidents and fire outbreaks which claimed many lives in the country.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), convened a stakeholders’ engagement on measures to mitigate oil tanker accidents, on Wednesday in Abuja.
In recent times, Nigeria witnessed a surge in petroleum tanker accidents, which resulted to fire outbreaks, destruction of lives and properties.
About 70 persons lost their lives during a tanker accident at Dikko Junction in Niger, and 20 others killed in Enugu incident.
Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, NMDPRA, said that the incidents were avoidable and unnecessary, in view of the measures emplaced to mitigate occurrence.
He listed the measures to include: Minimum Industry Safety Training for Downstream Operators (MISTDO), which include training and retraining of drivers, motor boys, and all personnel involved in downstream operations.
Ahmed said the measures also included the installation of anti-spill safety valves on all petroleum product tanker and implementation of safe-to-load initiatives.
Others were colour coding and branding of all tankers, spot checks by Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on fatigued drivers and broadcast of post-crash emergency numbers and first responders to cordon-off accident sites.
He said the Authority was conducting public sensitisation on the dangers of scooping the volatile hydrocarbons at accident sites, regular meeting with stakeholders and regulating route management by designating routes and commuting times.
Ahmed emphasised on determination of appropriate truck carrying capacity (60,000 litres vs 45,000 litres) given the negative impact on the roads.
These requirements, he said, were resolved by the industry collectively, pursuant to learnings from previous accidents and safety studies conducted to ensure that energy distribution was conducted in a safe and secured manner.
“It is therefore unacceptable for any operator to conduct business in contravention of established protocols and safety requirements.
“It is these contraventions, coupled with the poor conditions of our transportation infrastructure that are leading to the unnecessary accidents and unfortunate loss of lives and properties.
“The fact that these accidents keep recurring is indicative of noncompliance by the industry with the established safety measures or that the measures are defective.
“Consequently, we demand that all parties should ensure strict compliance with the established safety requirements,” Ahmed said.
He recalled that in 2022, four tanker accidents were recorded that led to seven fatalities and three injuries, adding that the number of incidents decreased in 2023 to two, resulting in 24 fatalities and five injuries.
Ahmed said the number of accidents recorded in 2024, increased to 11 incidents, with 341 fatalities and 124 injuries, while five accidents had been recorded, with 121 fatalities and 79 injuries from January to dare.
Mr Yusuf Othman, President, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), said that accidents exposed transporters to losses, stressing that the organisatuon would ensure effective compliance with the stipulated recommendations.
“There are many factors responsible for the accident, which include road conditions, drivers condition (operating under strenuous condition) and condition of the truck.
“But what leads to monumental loss of lives is scooping the petrol. We need to do public enlightenment and to ensure that tankers are in good condition to operate,” he said.
While reiterating commitment to facilitate smooth distribution of petroleum products, Othman called for deepened sensitisation of drivers to ensure trucks are road worthy and professionalism.
Mr Afolabi Olawole, Secretary-General, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), urged the Federal Government to mitigate the impact of the incidents on the investors for energy sustainability.
Olawole, who advocated for health insurance scheme and social welfare for the tanker drivers, urged the government to take into consideration the investors’ welfare and fair policies.
“No matter how good a driver is, if the road is not good it could create accidents. The current economic situation is also biting harder on the investors, the owners of the truck.
“A single truck cost about N150 million and to loose that is disheartening. NUPENG is willing to ensure safety of lives and properties, not only of its members but the public.
“We assure the NMDPRA that we will support every progressive initiative they are making, but in doing that they should consider just and fair policies to encourage the investors
Also Speaking , Mr Clement Isong, President, Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) endorsed stakeholders’ collaboration and support for training, as well as renewal of trucks.
He tasked the Ministry of Works to ensure road rehabilitation and maintenance, adding that the NMDPRA should provide a template for ensuring compliance to the approved limit of the volume of petroleum product to be transported by a tanker.
