FRSC, DPR partner to end tanker crashes on roads

Chinazor Megbolu |

Two Federal Government agencies, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has agreed to partner towards ending tanker accidents in Nigeria.

Both organisations restated their commitment to partner with each other in order to prevent road tanker crashes on the highways.

The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi during a Working Visit to the DPR office in Lagos on Monday made the commitment.

According to him; “the major challenge on the road today are the wet cargoes, that is, the tankers carrying petroleum products, and dry cargoes, which are the containers falling frequently on the road.

“We really need a strong technical collaboration; our philosophy is that if there is a problem, we get to the root of the problem before we can tackle it.

“That is why we are here to seek this assistance to work together, ”

He explained that there was a need to map out a lot of preventive measures, laced with the technical expertise, that would enable the initiative with DPR become very critical.

Oyeyemi noted the standards required before the tankers can be loaded at the various tank farms should be complied with in total.

“Also, in the course of giving them permission, the standards in place should be inspected and an application confirmed.

“If they are all put in place, our roads will be much safer,” Oyeyemi said.

He buttressed further that key areas of possible operational partnership would do with retraining of drivers and assistants in handling loading and unloading of products.

He also added that there was a need for extension of culpability and sanction for loading of trucks that are in bad shape to depot operators.

“There is a need for a periodic interface between DPR and FRSC to review and fine-tune implementation strategies, ” he said.

The Director, DPR Mr. Sarki Auwalu, in his response, explained that the oil and gas regulatory agency, in March 2020, inaugurated the Minimum Industry Safety Training for Downstream Operators.

He added the inauguration was part of efforts to enhance safety during operations.

Auwalu also hinted that the training for the tanker drivers is focused on recognising and preventing the hazards in terms of handling of petroleum products.

According to him; “the training also involves safe driving strategy and procedure of handling accidents and emergency, vehicle parking, servicing and security”.