Nigeria has been grappling with a recurring issue of fallen fuel tankers on its highways, resulting in devastating fires, loss of life, and damage to properties.
The frequency and severity of these incidents have raised concerns among citizens, policymakers, and stakeholders in the transportation sector.
The Nigeria Police stated at the weekend that the death toll from the Jigawa tanker explosion has risen to 170, with over 70 receiving intensive care at a hospital.
It was one of the country’s worst such incidents in recent times.
Local authorities said the vehicle crashed late on Tuesday night after the driver lost control on the Kano-Hadejia expressway near the town of Majiya in Jigawa State. It then exploded while onlookers were scooping spilt fuel with cups and buckets.
According to the police, at about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Majia Town, Taura local government area of Jigawa, the tanker driver lost control near Khadija University and it exploded.
The driver reportedly left Kano and was heading to Nguru in Yobe State when the accident happened.
The disaster, according to the police, was triggered by residents who had rushed to scoop spilled petrol after the tanker overturned.
Crashes involving tankers are common in Nigeria because road transport is the most popular form of conveying cargo across the country with inadequate rail infrastructure and a chain of underused airports.
According to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, several hundred spills happen nationwide each year, even outside the hotspots of oil-producing areas in the Niger Delta.
Fuel has become a commodity coveted almost as much as food in poorer areas of Nigeria, where the economy is in its worst state in a generation.
Fuel prices have tripled since the start of last year, when the government removed a fuel subsidy, exacerbating a cost of living crisis.
Desperation rose further two weeks ago after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited raised prices of the commodity for the second time in just over a month.
“Most tanker drivers are not properly trained on safety measures such as not overloading and adhering to speed limits, and that makes accidents so common.”
Despite the risks, increasing numbers of people are being drawn to the scene of tanker crashes to recover fuel that they either use at home or sell.
Many roads in Nigeria are poorly maintained and torn asunder with potholes, causing accidents that claim dozens of lives every year.
Last month, at least 48 people were killed in Niger State, North Central Nigeria, when a fuel tanker exploded after colliding with another truck carrying travellers and cattle, trapping other vehicles as well in the blaze.
The fuel tanker was also carrying cattle in the Agaie area and at least 50 of them were roasted alive.
With the absence of an efficient railway system to transport cargo, fatal truck accidents are common along most of the major roads in Nigeria, a country with more than 220 million residents.
According to experts, the main causes are reckless driving, poor road conditions and poorly maintained vehicles.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, there were 1,531 tanker crashes in 2020 alone, resulting in 535 fatalities and 1,142 injuries. The majority of these incidents occurred on highways, with Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt being the most affected areas.
The data reveals a disturbing trend, with an average of four tanker crashes occurring daily.
The FRSC also revealed that there have been at least 390 tanker accidents in 2024 alone.
Many of those who die in such accidents are people trying to salvage fuel to store at home, a practice that has continued despite safety warnings.
One major cause of such accidents, and why they usually result in explosions, is that many petrol tankers are not designed according to international best practices.
Most tanker drivers are not properly trained on safety measures such as not overloading and adhering to speed limits, and that makes accidents so common.
Also, the agencies charged with enforcing safety regulations often fail to do so.
There are also not enough awareness campaigns, and people are not willfully compliant with safety measures when such accidents happen.
The latest incident in Jigawa State is one too many involving tragic petrol tanker explosions in the country.
Consequently, there is the need for a review of the protocol for the transportation of petroleum products in Nigeria.
The country must explore rail transportation and pipelines to move flammable products such as petrol and diesel across the country.
It is about time we explore other means, like rail, for transporting petroleum products around the country.
It is also pertinent to train drivers involved in the transportation of flammable products and review the protocol for the transportation of petroleum products and other inflammable products.
Another possibility is to limit the movement of tankers and heavy trucks to 12 a.m.– 4 a.m. daily as a measure to enhance safety on our roads and highways.
By restricting tanker movement to off-peak hours, it could minimise interactions between tankers and other vehicles, reducing the risk of accidents.
The nighttime hours provide better visibility for tanker drivers, reducing the likelihood of accidents caused by poor visibility.
With reduced traffic and improved visibility, the risk of fires resulting from tanker accidents would significantly decrease.
This restriction allows for more effective monitoring and enforcement of tanker movements by FRSC officials.
This measure aligns with global standards, where hazardous materials are often transported during designated hours to minimise risks.
By adopting global best practices, addressing gaps in current practices, and implementing remediation measures, Nigeria can reduce the frequency and impact of these incidents.
The FRSC, in collaboration with other stakeholders, must prioritise safety and take decisive action to protect lives, properties, and the environment. Only then can we ensure safer roads for all.
