The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a ban on fuel tankers exceeding 60,000 litres from operating on the country’s roads, citing safety concerns and the need to curb frequent accidents involving heavy-duty petroleum trucks.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) disclosed that the restriction will take effect from March 1, 2025.
The government has also set a stricter limit, stating that by the fourth quarter of 2025, no truck with a capacity exceeding 45,000 litres will be permitted to load petroleum products.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, NMDPRA’s Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha, stressed that the decision was necessitated by the growing number of road accidents involving oversized fuel tankers.
He noted that many of these accidents have led to loss of lives, destruction of properties, and severe disruptions to economic activities.
Read also: Tanker explosions, auto crashes caused by human, mechanical, environmental factors – FRSC
According to Ukoha, the regulatory agency has been working with industry stakeholders, including petroleum marketers, transport unions, and safety experts, to implement measures aimed at reducing tanker-related accidents. The new policy aligns with global best practices, as many countries impose strict limits on fuel truck sizes to prevent road hazards.
The NMDPRA has also indicated that additional safety measures will be introduced in the coming months, including stricter enforcement of loading limits at depots and refineries.
Ukoha urged petroleum marketers and tanker operators to comply with the directive ahead of its implementation, warning that violations would attract severe penalties.
The ban comes amid ongoing concerns about the state of Nigeria’s road infrastructure, with experts highlighting the dangers posed by overloaded fuel tankers on poorly maintained highways. Advocacy groups have repeatedly called for improved regulations in the downstream petroleum sector to prevent recurring tanker explosions and highway disasters.
With the new directive, authorities aim to strike a balance between ensuring efficient fuel distribution and prioritizing road safety for Nigerian motorists and communities.
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