The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has rolled out a nationwide crackdown on tanker crashes, mandating the registration of all tanker drivers under a union.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said the move was part of efforts to curb the rising incidence of crashes involving tankers on Nigerian roads.
The FRSC boss attributed most tanker crashes to independent drivers who operated without association or union.
He stressed the need for a holistic approach, involving all stakeholders to checkmate these drivers and prevent crashes.
He said FRSC had started implementing some recommendations, which included deploying officials to tank farms to inspect safety valves, vehicle conditions, and certify drivers before loading and departure.
According to Mohammed, the registration exercise is aimed at creating a database of verified drivers, which will enable the FRSC to track and monitor their activities, and ensure that only qualified and certified drivers operate on Nigerian roads.
“We have started implementing some recommendations, and we are working with the union to ensure that all tanker drivers are registered and certified.
“We have also deployed our officials to tank farms to inspect safety valves, vehicle conditions, and certify drivers before loading and departure.”
The Corps Marshal noted that some tank farms initially resisted the presence of FRSC officials, but the Corps was working to overcome the resistance.
He explained that the agency would work with the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to combat the rising cases of tanker crashes.
He said the agency would work closely with the FFS to establish fire service points at strategic locations, including FRSC zebra points, to facilitate prompt response to tanker crashes.
This, he said, would enable the FFS to respond swiftly and effectively to tanker crashes, thereby reducing the risk of fire outbreaks and explosions.
“FRSC will also collaborate with NEMA to provide emergency services and support to victims of tanker crashes.
“This will include the provision of medical services, shelter, and other forms of support to victims and their families.
“We are coming together to see that wherever we have FRSC Zebra points, we should see that we have fire service and NEMA points too.
“So that if such an incident happens, while FRSC is there to help, the Police and other sister security agencies are there and the Fire service and NEMA too are there to help and protect lives and properties.
“This is necessary so that we can all be able to ensure that fire doesn’t occur but ensure safety first.”
Mohammed emphasised the need for collective efforts to combat tanker crashes, urging community leaders and the public to join forces with the FRSC and its partners to prevent these incidents.
He, however, called on Nigerians to report any suspicious activity or tanker crashes to the FRSC’s emergency numbers, 122 and 112.
“Everybody should be involved in curbing tanker crashes, both the community leaders and the public, so that we speak with one voice to stop this carnage from continuing and improve on what we do.
“Our emergency numbers 122 and 112 are very effective because it is 24 hours, that is, day and night because the officials run shifts.
“Someone will always pick and link you to the immediate point where interventions can be brought in and take care of the incidents,” he said.
The FRSC corps marshal also announced plans to establish more FRSC outposts in strategic locations to facilitate swift intervention in the event of tanker crashes.
He also said the FRSC would work with state governments to identify high-risk locations and establish outposts in those areas.
“We have identified some hot spots and we are also creating not necessarily a unit but an outpost.
“We will also partner with state governments to make sure that we put a zebra point and outpost there so that we will be able to bring intervention immediately,” he said.
The FRSC boss called on parents to educate their children on the dangers of tanker crashes, emphasising the need for children to stay away from scenes of tanker crashes or fuel spillage.
According to the Corps Marshal, children are often curious and may be tempted to approach scenes of tanker crashes, unaware of the dangers.
He warned that fuel was highly volatile and could ignite easily, causing devastating consequences.
“I’ll advise Nigerians, especially Parents to talk to their children and wards because this fuel is very volatile.
“Instead of going there to look, it is better when you see a tanker crashed or fuel spilling, they should run completely from the scene, they should be running entirely from that scene because it is dangerous. Once we don’t go there to scoop fuel, it means that we can save our lives, ” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has decried the spate of road traffic crashes involving fuel-laden tankers in Nigeria.
Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot Community, said the loss of lives and property associated with petrol tanker accidents was colossal and required collective action to address urgently.
He commiserated with families of the deceased and owners of destroyed property; while praying for repose of the souls of the dead.
“On behalf of marketers in the South-East, especially those attached to Enugu Depot, I want to express our deep sadness over the tanker explosion which occurred at Ugwu-Onyeama on Saturday.
“We are worried about this type of accident because of the heavy loss in terms of human lives and property that goes with it, just last June, we had a similar incident which also claimed lives and property.
“It is loss to families, loss to businesses of our members, loss to the general public and the entire economy, this is why we are calling for a multi stakeholders approach to solving the problem of incessant tanker accidents.
“We want to condole with families of the bereaved and those who suffered losses in the accident just as we pray that God will grant the souls of those that died, eternal rest,” he said.
Anyaso called on the governors of South-East States to create tanker parks where drivers could stay and break their journeys to prevent crashes caused by fatigue; while calling on tanker drivers’ unions to strengthen safety compliance.
He said the use of foreign anti-spill cover/manholes should be mandatory for all tankers to prevent spilling of product in the event that a loaded truck fell.
“We need all stakeholders in the road transport sector including FRSC, NUPENG, VIO to rally together and enhance safety measures, we also need motorable roads to reduce tanker fall.
“Government can also begin to think about alternatives to roads as a means of transporting petroleum products because the hazard on roads is becoming unbearable,” he said.