Octane Vehicles to Limit Fuel Load to 45,000 Liters Starting from October 1st
In an effort to curb the rising number of petroleum tanker accidents in Nigeria, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Western Zone has announced new safety measures. Chief Oyewole Akanni, the IPMAN chairman, made this announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Aug 1.
From October 1, petroleum tankers will not be allowed to carry more than 45,000 litres of the commodity. This cap aims to reduce overloading, a common issue that destabilizes tankers and causes accidents. Previously, tankers often carried 60,000 to 90,000 litres, far beyond their design capacity.
In addition to limiting fuel tanker loads, the government has ordered that all tankers have safety covers installed to prevent spills in the case of an accident. These covers, which won't allow fuel to spill even if a tanker falls, unless the tank is punctured, are designed to reduce fire hazards and environmental damage.
The stakeholders involved in enforcing these regulations include IPMAN, Petroleum Tanker Drivers, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and oil marketers.
IPMAN has also instructed drivers not to travel at night and to park and resume their journey by 7:00 a.m. the following day. This measure is aimed at addressing the primary cause of night-time tanker incidents, which is driver fatigue.
The new measures are set to take effect on October 1, and IPMAN has promised to continue collaborating with interested parties to minimize tanker accidents. The accidents, which are characterized by hazardous public behaviors like fuel scooping and systemic failures like overloading, inadequate enforcement, and poor infrastructure, have prompted government actions, including calls for more stringent laws, widespread education, and enforced safety changes.
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- The finance industry might face challenges in adjusting to the new petroleum tanker regulations, as the capacity restrictions could affect the daily volumes transported by automotive tankers in Nigeria.
- The General News and Crime & Justice sectors have reported an increase in cases related to fuel-related crimes, such as petroleum theft and illegal siphoning, possibly due to the prevalence of hazardous public behaviors at accident scenes.
- Despite the new safety measures implementated by IPMAN and the government, it remains crucial for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to enforce stricter regulations towards oil marketers and petroleum tanker drivers to prevent systemic failures like overloading and inadequate enforcement leading to tanker accidents.
