Oil Marketers, Stakeholders Forge Ties To Tackle Rising Wave Of Tanker Accidents

By Adewale Sanyaolu

The Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has joined forces with key stakeholders in the petroleum products downstream value chain to address the alarming rise in tanker explosions and accidents on Nigerian roads. This collaborative effort aims to implement comprehensive measures to enhance safety and prevent future tragedies.

Following an emergency stakeholders’ meeting, MEMAN’s Executive Secretary, Mr Clement Isong, outlined a multi-pronged approach that includes:

• Enhanced Collaboration and Engagement: Increased collaboration between regulators, operators, and enforcement agencies, including NMDPRA, NARTO, PTD, and FRSC. Regular stakeholder meetings to discuss progress and address emerging challenges.
• Driver Training and Fleet Management: Mandatory annual training for all drivers at FRSC-approved centres. Stricter enforcement of driver qualifications, prohibiting under-age and untrained drivers. Comprehensive bi-annual integrity evaluations for all petroleum product transport trucks. Phasing out old trucks and replacing them with new ones equipped with modern safety features like ABS, anti-rollover, anti-spill, anti-skid, speed limiters, onboard computers, and cameras. Repurposing trucks over 15 years old for non-hazardous cargo.
• Technology Integration: Mandatory installation of onboard computers and tracking devices in all trucks. Use of intelligent cameras and data from route surveys to enhance safety. Establishment of 24/7 control centres to monitor truck movements and enforce journey management procedures, including flagging night driving, harsh braking, rest time, unauthorised parking, and speeding.
• Road Infrastructure Advocacy: Sharing a list of critical roads needing urgent repairs and redesign with relevant authorities.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Regular sensitization programs for drivers on safe driving practices.

Also speaking, Mr. Ibrahim Dimowo, Assistant Director/Head DSSRI, Southwest Zone, NMDPRA, emphasised the need for strict compliance with safety regulations and the use of technology for monitoring and evaluation. He stated that the authority would approve and implement new technologies for incident detection and monitoring, adding that there would be clear consequences for non-compliance with safety regulations. Emphasising the need to ensure that all trucks are registered and assigned specific ullage permits, he said that there was a need to state what the tank size for petroleum products should be and ensure compliance.

This comprehensive approach, driven by a commitment to self-regulation and collaboration among stakeholders, aims to significantly reduce the number of tanker explosions and accidents on Nigerian roads, ensuring the safety of drivers, communities, and the environment.