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The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has voiced strong opposition to the Nigerian government’s proposed ban on 60,000-litre petroleum tankers, warning that the move could lead to financial losses of up to N300 billion for tanker owners.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday, NARTO President Yusuf Othman argued that the frequent accidents involving fuel tankers were not necessarily caused by their 60,000-litre capacity but rather by poor road infrastructure, vehicle conditions, and human error.
He explained that there are currently around 2,000 petroleum tankers with a 60,000-litre capacity in use across the country, each valued at approximately N150 million.
While acknowledging the tragic incidents caused by tanker-related accidents, Othman maintained that prohibiting 60,000-litre tankers is not a viable solution.
The Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), is considering banning 60,000-litre tankers due to their involvement in frequent road accidents.
The regulator has proposed capping petroleum tanker capacity at 45,000 litres as part of efforts to reduce crashes and explosions.
In addition to the proposed restriction, the NMDPRA introduced several other safety measures, including mandatory installation of anti-spill valves on tanker trucks, public awareness campaigns against scooping fuel at accident scenes, and regular stakeholder engagements.
According to the agency, a failure to comply with safety regulations has been a key factor in the increasing number of fuel tanker accidents nationwide.
Othman urged the government to consider a buy-back scheme to compensate tanker owners should the ban be enforced.
He emphasised that NARTO members adhere to strict safety regulations, ensuring that only medically fit and licensed drivers operate fuel tankers.
The association also mandates periodic training for drivers and requires biannual vehicle inspections to guarantee roadworthiness.
Othman also pointed out that all 60,000-litre tankers currently in operation are new and built to safely transport large fuel loads.
Reaffirming NARTO’s support for the government’s safety initiatives, Othman urged authorities to also consider the interests of private investors in the transport sector.
He expressed confidence that an amicable resolution could be reached through ongoing discussions between NARTO and the Nigerian government.
