The Nigerian government and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) are at odds over a proposal to ban petroleum trucks with a 60,000-litre capacity from federal highways.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) recommended limiting tankers to a maximum of 45,000 litres to curb frequent tanker explosions, which have claimed 493 lives over the past three years.
Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the NMDPRA, highlighted the alarming increase in fatalities from tanker accidents—from seven deaths in 2022 to 24 in 2023, 341 in 2024, and already 121 within the first two months of 2025.
“This year alone, we have recorded five tanker accidents, resulting in 121 deaths and 79 injuries. These incidents are unacceptable and must be reduced to zero,” Ahmed stated. He emphasized that strict adherence to safety protocols is necessary to prevent further tragedies.
However, NARTO President Yusuf Othman opposed the proposed ban, warning of a potential N300 billion loss in investments.
“Transporters are investors, and these trucks are major assets. A 60,000-litre truck, which costs about N150 million, is a high-quality vehicle with a strong engine. We have about 2,000 of them, many financed by banks and lenders,” Othman argued.
The debate over the proposed ban continues as stakeholders weigh safety concerns against economic implications.
