…Plans are underway to roll out 500 new trucks fitted with gadgets
…Implementation of minimum industry safety training for downstream operations
…Government is encouraging use of CNG for trucks transporting petroleum products
-Felix Douglas
In Nigeria, there are many incidences involving tanker explosions that are worrisome claiming lives which is a concern for oil and gas operators in the downstream.
The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) in collaboration with other stakeholders had a webinar to brainstorm and find way forward. The incidents involving tanker trucks are not palatable with devastating consequences that could be avoided if safety measures are adhered with proactive solutions.
Although pipelines remain the safest mode in transporting petroleum products but in Nigeria current infrastructures are aging and the government is making efforts to upgrade them.
Chairman of MEMAN, Huub Stokman, said the incident of road accidents in Nigeria with tankers in quick succession leading to loss of lives with negative impact on the environment and material damage call for concern.
In his remarks at the webinar, representing the Chairman of Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN), the Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole was of the view that it ensures its members who have their own trucks drive with safety.
“It is paramount to us that we ensure that our drivers and the roads are safe, not only for the drivers, but the products we are conveying, but also for all Nigerians who buy these products, because it is when the man or woman is alive, that he can visit our fuel stations to refill the tank.
Adewole said DAPMAN conducts its business to ensure that everyone is safe while it progresses. The association has been working with Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) for the past five years and each depot has its own safety team that carry out checks on trucks while they are loaded to ensure the environment is safe.
He added that it depends on driver conveying product because in good roads there can still be accident probably due to the age of trucks or carelessness of drivers. DAPMAN engages in training of truck drivers. He said to get new trucks on the roads, members need assistance from either the Bank of Industry or government. The association is committed in ensuring that no life is lost in the cause of its operations.
On his part, President of Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Yusuf Othman, referred to the recent incidents as a sad moment for operations of business and distribution of petroleum products across the country where so many lives were lost. Although many factors could be attributed to it, but the concern is the lost of innocent lives.
Othman said NARTO is working seriously with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to avoid future occurrences and ensuring safety security measures are put in place.
The NARTO President acknowledged MEMAN’s efforts in championing the cause of employing transporters with the duty to ensure all necessary safety checks. NARTO and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have been having meetings to collaborate in terms of safety in spite the fact that some roads are in bad condition across the country.
Othman pointed out that there is need to replace rickety trucks and petroleum products delivery are done using them. He advocated for the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered trucks and the means of purchasing them which requires assistance from the government and relevant stakeholders.
Apparently speaking from the perspective of government in his keynote address at the webinar, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, recalled that the issue of tanker accidents and the attendant deaths are worrisome. “Every well-meaning Nigerian and stakeholders have an obligation to ensure that it is reduced to its barest minimum”
The Minister said most of the problems had to do with the drivers because some of them are not trained. The trucks plying the roads are aged and some of these tankers are overloaded. There are some that should load petroleum products with 30,000 to 33,000 but are sometimes loaded with 60,000 and at any small pothole, they will fall.
The Minister decried the situation and made it known that some of the trucks are privately owned without proper insurance.
He disclosed that NNPC in first quarter of the year will soon roll out 500 new trucks fitted with gadgets
“The safety of Nigerians rest squarely with those who are in this industry.” To address the situation, stakeholders must work together to ensure collective and decisive steps.
On the part of the government, it is working together with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Road Safety, Fire Services and Ministry of Orientation agencies to warn Nigerians not to scoop fuel whenever a tanker falls because of the danger involved in such act which has claimed lives of many Nigerians.
The government is also working assiduously with stakeholders to ensure that such incidences do not occur again and the message is clear that transporters should adhere to safety rules.
The Minister acknowledged that most of the trucks are aged and not road worthy.
“We have to save lives of Nigerians instead of placing economic interest above safety of our own people.”
Representing the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpo Ekpo, Technical Adviser downstream, Engineer Abel Igeghe, said the Minister is concerned about the devastating impact petroleum accidents have caused on livestock, businesses and the environment.
Igeghe commended MEMAN for the webinar to discuss safe transportation of petroleum products.
The safety of petroleum products is not just industry concern but a matter of national importance, as the government recognises that ensuring safe movement of petroleum products across the country requires a collective approach involving regulators, marketers, transporters and enforcement agencies.
Engr. Igheghe added that recurring incidents of road tanker accidents have highlighted critical challenges in the country’s logistics and transportation framework. Such challenges include borrowed infrastructure and maintenance, non compliance with safety regulations and industry best practices, fatigue and training gaps among truck drivers.
Obviously, there is need for stricter monitoring and enforcement of safety protocols and the inadequacy of emergency response mechanisms in accident prone areas. The Federal Government through the ministry of petroleum resources collaborate with key stakeholders and is committed to implementing measures that will enhance safety petroleum downstream sector.
Ighege pointed out that some of these measures include strengthening regulations through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which is intensifying enforcement of safety for petroleum truck operators including implementation of the minimum industry training, safety training for downstream operations which will help go a long way in training staff and the drivers so that they are fit for purpose and reduce human risk through accidents.
The government is promoting alternative transportation modes, there is need to shift from road transportation and focus on pipelines for transportation of petroleum products.
Igheghe said the government is encouraging the use of CNG, such that all the trucks conveying petroleum products will be running on it. As the government provides policies and regulatory oversight, industry stakeholders must take proactive measures for prevention.
The Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), said government will continue to collaborate with its agencies to develop practical safety guidelines and ensure implementation across the sector.
“Ensuring the safety of transportation of petroleum products is a shared responsibility. Everybody must work together to reduce accidents and protect our people and enhance efficiency in the downstream sector. We encourage all stakeholders to embrace best practices that will make our petroleum logistics safer and more sustainable.”
As part of measures to be taken to avoid accidents by tankers, Okechukwu who represented MEMAN, said government should ensure that bad spots are fixed and signage on roads must be obeyed by truck drivers. FRSC should enforce rules with requisite training. There has to be maximum capacity limit for heavy duty trucks to reduce the load that are manageable by trucks.
He called for comprehensive and compulsive driver training ensuring that legislations to specify periodically once a year or more that a driver of heavy duty truck or tanker must undergo certain training.
MEMAN on its part has compulsory one year training and every driver and trucks go for integrity checks. These are some measures taken to ensure safety in the industry. He urged government to strengthen pipeline networks in the country, increased public enlightenment to sensitize Nigerians especially people living in rural areas to understand hazard to scoop fuel when there is a crash because reported cases involved efforts made by people to cluster around where incidents occur.
On his part, national president of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr Billy Harry, said PETROAN applauded MEMAN for the introduction of new technologies and standards within the industry showing that “we can hold ourselves accountable and implementation of extant laws ensuring that drivers, vehicles and all matters of logistics are all complying to the rules to give us the safety we desire.”
Harry added that PETROAN is committed to working closely with recommendations made and use it to check its members. Training is extremely important with consistent stakeholder sensitization.
He advocated for the use of rail to transport petroleum products to mitigate most damages caused on the road which will not expose tanker drivers or risk their lives.
Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of MEMAN, submitted that the design of the roads which are either three or four lanes expressway can cause an accident because some roads users can over speed. There should be a second look at how the roads are designed to make it safer. Safety features to reduce limit and precautionary measures should be in place. People should behave responsibly. “We need to do an investment in national re-orientation. Virtually every year people die through scooping of fuel.
“If a truck falls, you can join to secure the area and prevent others from going close to it, but do not scoop the product.
On our own side, we will do what is necessary to make sure that even if the truck does roll over, the product will not spill. It is time for this to stop. Enough is enough.”
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