While official figures are hard to come by, research, however, showed that from January 2009 to October 2024, there were 169 fuel tanker accidents which led to 1,613 deaths across the country.
For the 16 year review, 2019 had the highest number of accident cases and deaths at 29 and 203 respectively. Accidents were least frequent in 2009, 2012 and 2014, with three in each.
Many factors could be responsible for tanker accidents on Nigeria roads and more importantly, the high number of casualties being experienced when such accidents occur.
A huge amount of hazardous and flammable material is transported by road in Nigeria. It is difficult to quantify: figures are not available publicly. But it raises concerns about safety and about protecting the environment against spills and pollution.
Based on accident reports and research, the main factors contributing to tanker accidents and its attendant high casulaties include incompetent drivers who oftentimes drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs, bad roads where tankers have to avoid potholes and ditches.
Others are on-street parking where there are no parking lots for trucks, overloading, brake failure, scooping fuel from fallen tankers, building petrol stations in residential areas, amongst others.
While the incessant fuel tanker accidents across the country has become a source of worry to the authority and concerned government agencies are ŵorking round the clock to tackle this menace head-on, the present administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had frowned at the high casualties occurrences as a result of citizens engaging in fuel scooping at the scenes of fuel tanker accidents.
To drive home this advocacy and put a stop to this harmful practice among Nigerians, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu had cautioned Nigerians against indulging in this dangerous practice during a meeting with members of Tanker Drivers association in Moniya, Akinyele local government area of Oyo State.
Issa- Onilu who raised serious concern regarding the rising incidents of fallen tankers and deaths from fuel scooping, emphasised the need for immediate action to stop this menace.
He pointed out that these explosions have not only resulted in loss of lives, but also placed a significant strain on emergency response services and health systems in the affected areas.
The NOA boss particularly expressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s grave concern over the increasing frequency of such accidents and its attendant high death rate.
According to him, the Nigerian government under President Tinubu is committed to curbing this growing menace and ensuring that the country’s roads remain safe for all citizens.
While directing his message to the tanker drivers, Issa- Onilu urged them to take their role in road safety seriously.
He appealed to them to adhere strictly to traffic regulations and avoid over speeding, as well as to ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained before embarking on any journey .
The NOA DG highlighted that ensuring the proper condition of tanker worries could go a long way in preventing accidents, particularly in a sector where the transport of highly flammable substances requires extra caution.
He reassured the association and Nigerians in general that the federal government is taking steps to address the state of the nation’s roads.
He disclosed that plans are underway to rehabilitate and upgrade critical road infrastructure across the country.
The goal, he explained, is to reduce the occurrence of road crashes and to create safer conditions for both drivers and pedestrians.
The NOA DG also promised that the agency would continue to engage with key stakeholders, including transport unions, government agencies, and local communities, to ensure that safety messages are effectively communicated to all Nigerians.
He stressed that sustained public awareness campaigns would be crucial in ensuring that the dangerous practice of fuel scooping is eradicated and that citizens take personal responsibility for their actions on the road.
The leaders of the Tankers Drivers Association, in turn, expressed their support for the government’s efforts to reduce accidents and improve safety.
They acknowledged the importance of following safety protocols, but also raised concerns about the conditions under which many tanker drivers operate.
The association appealed for better infrastructure to support the safe operation of tankers, including the establishment of modern trailer parks with standard facilities across the country.
They called for better facilities while lamenting that the incessant accidents were rooted in the challenges faced by tanker drivers, who often have to park in unsafe, congested areas due to a lack of designated trailer parks.
They pointed out that proper parking spaces would not only provide safety for the drivers but would also reduce the likelihood of tanker accidents caused by poorly maintained vehicles or fatigue from long hours of driving.
In addition to better parking facilities, the leaders of the Tankers Drivers Association also highlighted the urgent need for repairs of the dilapidated roads.
They stressed that many tanker accidents occur due to poor road conditions, including potholes, lack of proper signage, and inadequate road markings.
The association urged the government to prioritize road maintenance and repair as part of the broader effort to improve road safety in the country.
The meeting concluded with emphasis that the issue of fuel scooping and tanker-related accidents is a shared responsibility.
The stakeholders reasoned that both the government and the public must work together to ensure that roads are safer for everyone.
The NOA DG’s meeting with the Tanker Drivers Association was seen as a step towards building a more coordinated approach to road safety in the country, one that takes into account both the needs of drivers and the safety of the broader public.
Following the same trend, the Oyo State Directorate of the agency had took the bull by the horn when it recently launched a statewide campaign to educate citizens on the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
This effort followed series of incidents involving fuel scooping, which have resulted in loss of lives, properties, and environmental pollution.
As part of this sensitisation, the State Director of NOA , Dr. Olukemi Afolayan had embarked on series of media engagements, including appearances on radio airwaves to drive home the advocacy.
The NOA Director was at Fresh F.M.105.9 on “Situation Room”, “Talking Points” on Splash 105.5 F.M and also on Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) 98.5 F.M. on Current Affairs Live Radio Network programme “ÒRÒTÓNLO”.
These appearances afforded the agency the opportunity to reach out to a wider and diverse audience, which in turn gave the listeners the advantage and opportunity to contribute to the discussions through the questions and answers segments.
Abdul wrote from Ibadan, Oyo state capital.