In a move to tackle the alarming rate of accidents involving petroleum tankers nationwide, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced that by the fourth quarter of 2025, petroleum trucks will no longer be permitted to load more than 45,000 litres of product.

This marks a significant reduction from the existing 60,000-litre threshold, which the agency has already begun enforcing. The authority disclosed this at a sensitisation programme organised for petroleum truck drivers in Lagos, which brought together key industry stakeholders, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers arm of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (PTD-NUPENG), the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and security agencies.

Representing the authority’s Chief Executive, Ahmed Farouk, the Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC), Dr Mustapha Lamorde, said the decision was reached following a disturbing rise in incidents involving petroleum tankers on Nigerian roads.

“This opportunity is to show that all operations within the midstream and downstream subsector of the industry are done in a safe, effective, efficient, and healthy manner, with due consideration to environmental sustainability,” he said.

He revealed that after reviewing the increasing number of tanker-related accidents, the authority decided to establish a multi-agency Technical Working Committee (TWC) comprising 13 institutions, including security agencies and key industry stakeholders. The committee held a high-level meeting on February 19, where it adopted a 10-point resolution to improve operational safety from loading depots to discharge points.

“From March 1, we commenced the implementation of the Safe Load initiative. We now operate with a 10-page checklist that every truck must comply with before loading. It’s not just about the roadworthiness of the vehicle; the fitness and competence of the driver are also critical,” he said.

He added that trucks previously loading over 60,000 litres are now being restricted to 60,000 litres maximum. However, the ultimate target is to enforce a cap of 45,000 litres by Q4 2025.

“This journey doesn’t stop at 60,000 litres. By the last quarter of 2025, no truck should be allowed to load beyond 45,000 litres.”

That is our goal to reduce accident risks and improve control,”Lamorde stressed. He also announced new safety measures such as truck colour coding and branding for easy identification and enforcement, along with mandatory installation of anti-spill containment parts. These, he noted, will help contain products in the event of an accident.