In a move to enhance road safety and reduce fatal accidents, the Federal Government has announced new restrictions on the capacity of trucks transporting petroleum products. Effective March 1, 2025, trucks carrying more than 60,000 litres of hydrocarbon products will be prohibited from loading at depots and traveling on federal roads.
Furthermore, by the fourth quarter of 2025, an additional restriction will come into effect, barring trucks with capacities exceeding 45,000 litres from loading petroleum products at any depot.
This decision was disclosed on Wednesday in Abuja by Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director of Distribution System, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
He explained that the policy follows consultations with industry stakeholders over the frequent incidents of tanker accidents and explosions caused by overloaded petroleum trucks.
The government’s stance on this issue became apparent last week when it hinted at plans to ban 60,000-litre capacity trucks from federal highways. This decision was influenced by data showing that petrol tanker accidents have resulted in 493 deaths over the past three years.
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However, the new regulation has sparked opposition from the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO). Its president, Yusuf Othman, argued that the ban could lead to financial losses exceeding N300 billion, as over 2,000 trucks may become obsolete. Each affected truck, he noted, represents an investment of about N150 million.
Despite these concerns, the NMDPRA emphasized that the ban would be implemented gradually, allowing investors time to make necessary adjustments.
Ukoha stated that the decision was reached through consensus with key stakeholders, including NARTO, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), among others.
“From March 1, 2025, trucks exceeding 60,000 litres will no longer be permitted to load petroleum products at any depot,” Ukoha announced. “Additionally, by the fourth quarter of 2025, we will enforce a limit of 45,000 litres to ensure road safety.”
He explained that truck owners would need time to redesign their vehicles and adjust their investments accordingly.
Over the years, truck capacities have steadily increased, from 27,000 litres to 33,000 litres, then to 45,000 litres. A 2020 stakeholders’ meeting had initially capped truck capacity at 45,000 litres, but recent studies indicate that tankers carrying over 60,000 litres have contributed significantly to road fatalities.
While acknowledging concerns about potential financial losses, Ukoha assured transporters that the government is working to strike a balance between enforcing road safety measures and minimizing economic disruptions.
The NMDPRA reaffirmed its commitment to improving safety while ensuring a smooth transition for all stakeholders in the petroleum transportation sector.
