PETROAN Identifies Key Causes Of Rising Petrol Truck Accidents.
The Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has attributed the increasing number of petrol truck crashes to three main factors: driver negligence, deteriorating road conditions, and faulty petrol trucks.
Speaking in an interview, Francis Dimkpa, PETROAN’s Rivers State Chairman, clarified that recent fire incidents linked to petrol trucks were caused by fuel spills igniting, rather than explosions or substandard petrol, as some social media claims suggested.
How Petrol Spills Trigger Fires
Dimkpa explained that when petrol spills occur, the combination of heat from the roads and public attempts to collect the spilled fuel can lead to devastating fires. He urged all stakeholders, including truck owners and drivers, to take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents.
He stated that PETROAN is actively sensitising petrol truck drivers to exercise greater caution while also urging truck owners to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained and roadworthy.
He also warned the public to stay away from fallen petrol tankers, emphasising that no amount of salvaged petrol is worth risking human life.
Regulatory Measures to Curb Accidents
In response to the increasing incidents, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has taken decisive action. The regulatory body has banned 60,000-litre petrol tankers from operating on Nigerian roads.
From March 1, 2025, petrol trucks with this capacity have been prohibited from loading fuel at any depot nationwide. Additionally, from the fourth quarter of 2025, tankers exceeding 45,000 litres will no longer be allowed to load petroleum products.
The NMDPRA stated that these restrictions mark the first steps in tackling tanker-related accidents and explosions, which have claimed numerous lives across the country.
