Stakeholders in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors are taking strategic steps to curb the rising number of fuel tanker accidents, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and property.
At a webinar organized on Thursday, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) discussed urgent measures to address this crisis.
In the past four years, over 400 lives have been lost due to incidents involving fallen tankers, with many victims dying while attempting to scoop spilled fuel. In January 2025 alone, more than 98 people died in Dikko, Niger State, after a tanker overturned and exploded as residents tried to collect the spilled petrol.
The Executive Secretary of MEMAN, Clement Isong, expressed concern over the increasing frequency of such accidents, emphasizing the need for collective action from industry stakeholders, the public, and government bodies. “These accidents damage our industry’s reputation, harm the environment, and increase the cost of doing business. Operators, transporters, and enforcement agencies all have roles to play in preventing these tragedies,” Isong stated.
He stressed the importance of discipline and commitment among drivers, operators, and marketers, urging the industry to adopt self-regulation and for law enforcement agencies like the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police to enhance their oversight roles.
Isong also highlighted poor road conditions and risky driving behaviors as key contributors to these accidents. “While good roads are essential, multi-lane expressways can sometimes encourage speeding, leading to crashes. We need to reevaluate road designs, implement speed-reducing features, and promote responsible road use,” he added.
Addressing the issue of fuel scooping, Isong called for national reorientation campaigns to educate citizens on the dangers of approaching fallen tankers. “Year after year, people lose their lives trying to scoop fuel. We need to teach our people that securing the area, not collecting spilled fuel, should be the priority,” he urged.
Other stakeholders, including NMDPRA’s Executive Director of Health, Safety, and Community, Mustapha Lamorde; IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi; PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry; and National Association of Road Transport Owners President, Othman Yusuf, pledged to enforce stricter safety measures.
They committed to ensuring that fuel trucks are properly maintained, secured, and equipped to prevent spills even in the event of an accident.
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