The Nigerian government and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) are in disagreement over a proposed ban on 60,000-litre petroleum trucks operating on federal highways.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) suggested limiting petroleum tankers to a maximum of 45,000 litres to curb frequent tanker explosions, which have resulted in 493 deaths over the past three years.
Farouk Ahmed, CEO of NMDPRA, highlighted the urgency of addressing the rising fatalities, revealing that road tanker accidents had surged from seven deaths in 2022 to 24 in 2023, 341 in 2024, and already 121 in the first two months of 2025.
“This year alone, we’ve recorded five road tanker accidents leading to 121 deaths and 79 injuries.
These incidents are preventable and unacceptable,” Ahmed stated, stressing the need for strict adherence to safety regulations.
However, NARTO President Yusuf Othman opposed the move, citing potential financial losses exceeding N300 billion.
He argued that 60,000-litre trucks are high-value assets, with each vehicle costing around N150 million, many of which were financed through loans.
“We have about 2,000 of these trucks, and banning them would significantly impact transporters who are major investors in the sector,” Othman warned.
The debate continues as stakeholders weigh safety concerns against economic implications, leaving the future of 60,000-litre petroleum trucks uncertain.
What’s your take on this proposed ban? Should safety come first, or is the economic impact too high? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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