The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has made a bold recommendation to ban the daytime movement of fuel tankers across the nation in an attempt to mitigate the frequent and deadly explosions associated with these vehicles. This call comes in the wake of several tragic incidents where fuel tankers have overturned, leading to catastrophic fires and loss of life.
Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, emphasized the urgency of this measure during a press briefing in Abuja. “The repeated tragedies involving fuel tankers during daytime hours have necessitated this drastic action,” Audi stated. He pointed out that the majority of these explosions occur when roads are most crowded, resulting in higher casualties and property damage.
The proposal for a daytime ban is based on recent data highlighting an alarming trend. Over the past few months, incidents like the one in Suleja, Niger State, where over 98 people perished due to a tanker explosion, have underscored the need for stringent safety measures. According to the NSCDC, daytime traffic congestion coupled with the reckless driving of some tanker operators significantly increases the risk of accidents.
Audi explained, “By limiting fuel tanker movement to nighttime, we reduce both the traffic density and the number of people at risk should an accident occur.” This measure would also allow for better emergency response times and less chaos at accident scenes, potentially saving lives and reducing the severity of incidents.
The proposal has sparked a mix of reactions. Some stakeholders, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have expressed concerns over the practicality of such a ban. They argue that nighttime travel could pose different risks, such as reduced visibility and increased vulnerability to attacks by criminals.
Implementing this ban would require coordination across multiple government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and local governments. Enforcement would also necessitate increased monitoring and checkpoints, which could lead to logistical challenges, particularly in ensuring that the ban does not disrupt the supply chain of fuel distribution.
The NSCDC has announced plans to engage with other security agencies, transport unions, and state governments to discuss the logistics and enforcement of the proposed ban. A comprehensive strategy session is scheduled to outline the operational details, including designated routes for nighttime travel, safe parking areas during the day, and emergency response protocols.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC is also intensifying public awareness campaigns about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, a behavior that has contributed to many of the tragic outcomes in recent incidents.
As Nigeria grapples with these safety concerns, the NSCDC’s call for a daytime ban on fuel tanker movement is a critical step towards preventing further loss of life, though it remains to be seen how this will balance with the operational needs of the fuel industry.
