| dc.description.abstract | Over the years, the media has been replete of fuel tanker-related accidents that have consumed many lives and leaving many in critical health conditions as a result of injuries sustained. Many factors have been attributed to the major causes of these tanker explosions including bad roads, lack of vehicle maintenance, and weak safety regulatory enforcement, overloading, fuel scooping amongst others. In a move aimed at enhancing road safety and preventing road crashes and tanker explosion, the Federal Government on 22nd May 2025 through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced a ban on the night-time movement of fuel tankers across the country. This directive mandates fuel trucks to only operate on roads between 6 am and 6 pm.
While the policy intention may be good, it has also raised concerns. In fact, there are arguments that day time operation of fuel tankers would be even more catastrophic than night time operation citing increased traffic congestion which may lead to increased chances of accidents with high casualty rates, and the disruption of critical supply chains. Accordingly, this brief therefore recommends the following:
i. Leveraging oversight, the National Assembly may wish to advice the federal government on the need to reverse the ban while mandating the FRSC and NDLEA to, collaboratively, form checkpoints, embark on routine visits to fuel depots to inspect tanker drivers and ensuring the eradication of unqualified drivers, withdraw license (if any) of child tanker drivers, and arresting drivers who drive under the influence of substances with the licenses seized;
ii. ii. NASS may also advice the federal government on the need for the construction of dedicated parking spaces at various locations for tanker drivers to park and wait for the night to continue their journey.
iii. iii. NASS may advise the federal government on the need to revive the rail system to enable the transportation of inflammable products as petroleum, using train while charging FERMA, in the meantime, to embark on routine maintenance of major roads especially where most tankers ply.
iv. iv. Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority should ensure that both tankers and their drivers are screened before take-off to ensure that safety regulations are strictly adhered to. | en_US |
