NMDPRA urges stricter compliance with tanker safety standards

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has urged stakeholders in the petroleum transportation sector to adhere to established safety standards and due process in the haulage of petroleum products.

The South-South Regional Coordinator of the NMDPRA, Ibrahim Dimowo, gave the advice on Thursday during the Technical Working Committee Trucks-in-Transit Second Road Show safety sensitisation programme held in Warri, Delta State.

The event was attended by representatives of government agencies, security and emergency response organisations, tanker drivers, petroleum marketers, depot operators and truck owners, among others.

Dimowo said the programme would build on the successes and lessons from its maiden edition held in Lagos State, adding that it would deepen safety awareness among operators and drivers in the South-South region.

He said, “The programme is designed to provide practical knowledge on defensive driving, hazard recognition, fatigue management, fire prevention, spill containment, and journey management planning.

“It will also help to provide tanker integrity standards, emergency response actions and regulatory expectations for petroleum transportation.”

The regional coordinator said the initiative reflected a collective commitment to improving safety in the transportation of petroleum products across the country.

He noted that the movement of petroleum products remained critical to Nigeria’s energy security and economic development, but also presented safety concerns that required collective action.

Dimowo acknowledged the contributions of members of the Technical Working Committee on Trucks-in-Transit, saying their efforts had helped promote measures to reduce tanker accidents, strengthen prevention and improve emergency preparedness in the downstream petroleum industry.

He said, “Through your tireless efforts, the committee has continued to champion initiatives aimed at reducing road tanker accidents, strengthening preventive measures, enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities within the downstream petroleum industry.

“Your contributions have undoubtedly supported the protection of lives, property and the environment while fostering greater stakeholder collaboration in achieving our shared safety objectives.”

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He also commended tanker drivers and transport operators, noting that their daily responsibilities placed them at the forefront of petroleum product distribution across the country.

“Every safe trip completed is a testament to your commitment to protecting lives and preserving the integrity of the petroleum supply chain,” he said.

Dimowo urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and promote a safety culture where every journey “begins safely, progresses safely and ends safely”.

He expressed confidence that the knowledge gained from the engagement would help prevent incidents and make roads safer for all users.

Also speaking, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, Yusuf Othman, reaffirmed the association’s support for the Trucks-in-Transit initiative.

Othman, whose address was delivered by the association’s General Manager, Administration, Atiku Ahmed, said road safety awareness was a shared responsibility among drivers, transport owners, regulators and host communities.

He urged tanker drivers to obey speed limits and observe proper rest periods, while advising members of the public to maintain a safe distance from crashed or leaking tankers.

In his presentation, the Assistant Corps Marshal, Operations, of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Omiko Godwin, also described safety as a shared responsibility between drivers and regulators.

Speaking on the topic, “Staying alive on the highway: Defensive driving, fatigue and hazards awareness for tanker drivers,” Godwin said tanker driving required a higher level of professionalism because of the risks associated with the products being transported.

He said, “Any ignition can cause fire outbreak, therefore, professional competence is required. You must know your route, be disciplined before the wheel and see every other road user as a mad man.

“Look ahead and be focused, create space between you and the next vehicle because brake can fail,” the FRSC official said.