Fuel Tanker Accident: Why Nigeria lost over N7 billion in 6 months

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has disclosed at a stakeholders’ forum on haulage transportation on Monday that Nigeria has lost N7.157 billion to road traffic accidents involving 116 petroleum product tankers in the first half of 2018.

“The figure exclude the number of people killed; the cost of treatment of those injured; damage to the country’s road infrastructure; environmental impact and other collateral damages” FRSC boss, Oyeyemi said.

The June 28 petroleum tanker accident at Otedola Bridge in Lagos has been described as the worst tanker accident so far; it left 12 persons dead and 55 vehicles burnt.

Below are major reasons why Nigeria has lost over N7 billion in 6 months, according to the FRSC:

Noncompliance with minimum safety standards:

The FRSC boss blamed road accidents involving tankers largely on noncompliance with minimum safety standards especially by tanker owners/drivers in the country.

Compromise by tank farm owners:

There is an alleged general conspiracy among tank farm owners and loaders. It is believed that the tanks are supposed to carry specific litres of products, but they fill them to the brim while the drivers allegedly sell the products along the highways.

Loading capacity:

SON has been tasked to put more stringent enforcement policies on safety standards.

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“The maximum haulage capacity for tankers operating in the country is 33,000 litres. There should be a directive that any tanker with more than 33,000 litre capacity should not be allowed to load,” Oyeyemi advised.

Weight and measure of Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment:

Tanker drivers have been said to use various heads of different tankers to load at the tank farms; it has been confirmed that when they get back to designated points they now transfer it and use their own trucks.

“The weight and measures of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment should be more active and ensure strict enforcement of these standards,’’ Oyeyemi added.