The Federal Government has directed that fuel tankers must no longer operate at night across Nigeria.
This decision was made known by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority during a safety awareness event held in Lagos.
The event was organized in partnership with several key groups, including the Petroleum Tanker Drivers unit of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, the National Association of Road Transport Owners, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and other safety stakeholders.
According to the authority, trucks carrying petroleum products will only be allowed on the road between 6am and 6pm.
Any driver found operating outside this time will face consequences.
The move is part of ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of accidents and explosions that have claimed lives in the past due to nighttime tanker movement.
The NMDPRA also revealed that a new policy limiting the quantity of fuel tankers can carry is already in place.
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The aim is to fully phase out the practice of loading up to 60,000 litres.
By the last quarter of 2025, no truck should carry more than 45,000 litres of fuel.
A technical committee made up of thirteen different institutions has already started working on enforcing this rule.
In addition to time restrictions and loading limits, the NMDPRA is also pushing for stricter safety measures.
Tankers must be painted and marked clearly for easy identification.
Anti-spill kits are now required in case of accidents to prevent fire outbreaks and fuel loss.
During the gathering, the Lagos Zonal Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers urged drivers to avoid overloading and drive carefully.
He pointed out that large fuel loads are no longer acceptable and asked members to follow the new rules.
