Ezinneka Okodudu, a lecturer at the Geography Department, University of Port Harcourt, has called for a comprehensive reform to address recurrent  fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria.

Ms Okodudu made the call at a workshop organised by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria, on Saturday.

She was the guest speaker at the workshop which was held online with the theme: ‘Recurrent Tanker Explosions: CILT Nigeria Perspectives and Options’.

According to Ms Okodudu, tackling accidents involving  tankers will require stronger regulations, better enforcement and improved infrastructure.

“A multi-faceted approach is required, including stricter laws, enhanced driver training, improved vehicle safety, and better emergency response systems.

“Collaboration among governments, the private sector and 

 civil society is crucial,” she said.

She implored governments to enforce stricter transport laws with severe penalties, adding that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Service should conduct more frequent and unannounced inspections.

She also recommended real-time monitoring to track tanker traffic violations.

She regretted that tanker accidents caused loss of lives, property destruction and environmental damage, saying that without urgent reforms, the situation could continue.

The don called for a multi-stakeholder collaboration in tackling tanker explosions, describing the collaboration as essential for a long-term solution.

She said that the CILT could play a key role in advancing road safety, driver training and policy advocacy.

On infrastructure development, she said there was a need to upgrade and expand highways used by fuel tankers.

“There is need to construct dedicated truck lanes to separate tankers from regular traffic, develop emergency response stations along major routes, and install road safety features (barriers, escape lanes, warning signs),” she said.

Boboye Oyeyemi, a former Corps Marshal, FRSC,  emphasised the need for  political will in addressing the situation.

According to Ms Oyeyemi, with the revival of rail transport, there is need to transport petroleum products by rail.

“Over 30 per cent of the tankers are not fit to be on the road.

“It is also unfortunate that we see a tanker bearing 99,000 litres of fuel on the road, exceeding the approved 45,000 litres.

“Many independent marketers cannot afford to buy new trucks; so, they make use of the unfit tankers that cause havoc on our roads,” he said.

He also expressed dissatisfaction that motorboys became  tanker drivers without going to any driving school.

He urged the Vehicle Inspection Service to do its jobs appropriately by testing drivers and ensuring road worthiness of trucks.

Earlier, Mfon Usoro, president of CILT Nigeria, said that the workshop was aimed to interrogate issues and identify policy initiatives that the CILT could advise  relevant ministries to consider.

“This is part of our continuous education programme, and the issue on ground is most relevant and topical because it scares all of us,” she said.

 (NAN)