The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has expressed concerns over the Federal Government’s plan to ban 60,000-litre capacity fuel tankers due to frequent accidents involving petroleum trucks.
Speaking in an interview with NAN in Abuja on Sunday, NARTO President Yusuf Othman warned that such a ban could result in losses amounting to N300 billion for tanker owners.
The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), is considering restricting tanker capacity to 45,000 litres to curb accidents, explosions, and fatalities.
Safety Measures Proposed by NMDPRA
In addition to limiting tanker capacity, the NMDPRA has introduced other safety measures, including:
- Installation of anti-spill safety valves in tankers
- Public awareness campaigns to discourage fuel scooping at accident scenes
- Regular stakeholder meetings to enhance compliance
The regulator attributes recurring tanker accidents to noncompliance with safety regulations rather than tanker capacity alone.
NARTO Disagrees with Capacity Restriction
However, Othman argued that road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and driver behavior—not the size of the tankers—are the primary causes of accidents.
He noted that 2,000 fuel tankers, each worth N150 million, are actively transporting petroleum products nationwide. These investments, totaling N300 billion, are financed by both commercial banks and private owners.
Call for a Balanced Solution
Othman emphasized the need for a “win-win situation”, ensuring both safety and protection of investments.
“Every truck owner is an investor, and every investment is made with the expectation of returns. It would be unfair for these assets to be rendered useless. We all mourn the loss of lives due to recent accidents, and we hope such tragedies do not recur.”