Key stakeholders in the petroleum and transport sectors have called for improved road infrastructure and a reduction in highway checkpoints as measures to help prevent tanker explosions and related fire incidents in Taraba and Adamawa states.

The appeal was made on Thursday in Jalingo during a sensitisation campaign organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Speaking, Alhaji Dahiru Modibbo, Chairman of the Taraba State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), said that excessive checkpoints along highways often contribute to accidents and impede smooth vehicular movement.

“We are the direct victims of tanker explosions, so this initiative by NEMA is commendable,” Modibbo stated, urging the Federal Government to prioritise road improvements to reduce such tragedies.

Echoing similar concerns, Alhaji Ahmed Isa, a representative of the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State to fast-track the completion of the trailer park project in Jalingo.

Isa explained that the absence of a designated parking facility for articulated vehicles forces heavy trucks to park along highways, posing significant risks to motorists and nearby communities.

In her address, NEMA’s Director-General, Hajia Zubaida Umar, described the initiative, tagged ‘Stakeholders Engagement Awareness on Tankers/Fire Accidents in Adamawa and Taraba,’ as crucial because of the rising frequency of tanker-related accidents in the region.

Speaking through the Head of Search and Rescue at NEMA’s Yola Operations Office, Giwa Kurutsi, she announced that the campaign was designed to protect lives and property.

“It is critical to acknowledge that tanker accidents not only endanger the lives of those involved but also pose significant risks to the wider community and the environment,” she noted.

She explained that the programme would feature workshops, community outreach, and training sessions focused on fire prevention, emergency response, and effective communication strategies.

Also speaking, Yakubu Fungus, Assistant Controller of the Federal Fire Service in Taraba, urged tanker drivers to strictly adhere to safety measures and traffic regulations while on the road. He assured the public that the service was ready to respond promptly to emergencies.

The event, as observed by The Guardian, brought together representatives of various agencies, thereby reflecting a united front in tackling the growing threat of tanker accidents in the two states.