NMDPRA raises concern over recurring accidents in petroleum transportation

NMDPRA raises concern over recurring accidents in petroleum transportation

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Thursday voiced the Federal Government’s concern over the rising number of Truck-In-Transit accidents involving petroleum products. Despite the challenges, the government remains committed to ensuring a steady and efficient supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.

This was disclosed by the Delta State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Engr. Victor Ohwodiasa, during a “Stakeholders Engagement/Alignment Meeting on Petroleum Movement in Delta State,” organized by the Authority’s Warri Zonal Office.

Participants at the stakeholders meeting addressed various oil and gas-related issues including the Safe-To-Load Initiative aimed at reducing Truck-In-Transit Accident, Documentation of trucks conveying Petroleum products, colour Coding and branding of trucks, among others.

Ohwodiasa in his address at the event maintained that the Federal Government was “much concerned about truck-in-transit accident and products being delayed in transit”, emphasising that delays in the oil and gas industry obviously lead to additional costs in their operations.

While restating the government’s commitment to reducing the capacity of trucks conveying petroleum products, the NMDPRA coordinator noted that the Safe-To-Load initiative of the Federal Government was aimed at reducing truck carnages on the roads.

He emphasized that “currently, the approved maximum loading capacity of a truck is 60,000 litres” adding that with time, the capacity will be scaled down to 45,000 litres in order to further reduce truck-in-transit accident.

“There is no cause for alarm, the government is doing everything possible to ensure sustained product supply and the products are distributed without hitches,” he stated.

Ohwodiasa explained that the essence of the meeting was to provide the critical stakeholders, including the government security agencies, of the documentation they needed to checkout for, and others.

He said, “The essence of this meeting is to have an alignment with the critical stakeholders on critical issues that require inputs and collaboration of all concerned parties.

“Some of the areas of alignment are the colour coding of trucks that convey petroleum products within the country.

“The NMDPRA is enforcing colour coding and branding of trucks for easy identification of the product the truck is conveying.

“The colour coding for Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) is light blue with 75 cm height, while that of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) is a combination of deep yellow and light blue with 75 cm height.

“Similarly, for Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), the colour coding is a deep yellow shade with 75 cm height”.

While seeking continued collaboration and synergy, Ohwodiasa specifically drew the attention of the participants to Section 48 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

According to him, “Section 48 of the PIA stipulates that any government ministry, department or agency exercising any power or function or taking action which may have a direct impact on the NMDPRA operations should consult with the Authority”.

The coordinator explained that the essence of Section 48 was to ensure seamless and sustained movement and distribution of petroleum products within the country.

Ohwodiasa also drew the attention of the participants to the approved emergency numbers by the Federal Government, adding that it was tow-free.

He said that the numbers were 112 and 122 and urged anybody to call whenever there was an accident for prompt response.

“The numbers were tested by participants during the meeting, and they were all functional,” he said.

Ohwodiasa said that the meeting was part of the regular sensitisation meetings with stakeholders to inform them of development in the oil and gas industry.

The coordinator, who expressed delight at the turnout, said that the meeting was an expanded stakeholders meeting that involved all the critical stakeholders, “so that all of us can align on implementation and monitoring”.

He said the meeting would be sustained based on the directives from the NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Engr. Ahmed Farouk, that regular engagement be held for sensitisation on issues in the industry.

Some of the participants asked salient questions, which were adequately responded to by the state coordinator.

Mr Duke Obaro, Chairman, National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Delta State chapter commended the NMDPRA for convening the critical stakeholders meeting.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Joint Task Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as well as depot operators.

Also present were Mr. Harry Okenini, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Delta State chapter; Mr. Innocent Ejiyere, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Delta State chapter; and various petroleum retail outlet owners.