Nigeria has announced a ban on large fuel trucks following a series of deadly tanker explosions that have claimed hundreds of lives in recent months.
The decision comes after several tragic accidents involving fuel trucks, which are often followed by people gathering to scoop spilled fuel. This practice has become increasingly dangerous, as the country grapples with an economic crisis that has heightened the value of fuel.
Starting March 1, tankers carrying 60,000 liters (nearly 16,000 US gallons) or more of fuel will be prohibited from using any of Nigeria’s roads. This measure, according to Ogbugo Ukoha of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), aims to reduce truck-related accidents and fatalities.
“These actions are necessary to mitigate truck-in-transit incidents and curb the significant rise in fatalities linked to such crashes,” Ukoha explained in a statement.
The fuel crisis has worsened since President Bola Tinubu removed a costly subsidy, which led to fuel prices soaring. The economic turmoil has prompted desperate individuals to risk their lives by siphoning fuel from accident sites, despite the dangers.
Recent explosions have shed light on the severe economic challenges many Nigerians face. In one of the worst incidents, a crash in Majiya, Jigawa state, in October killed at least 147 people. A week later, another explosion claimed 98 lives on the road between Abuja and Kaduna.
Despite the risks, many still gather at crash sites. “The level of poverty is too much to resist the temptation,” said Sanusi Lawan, a student at one such scene.
This new policy aims to reduce such incidents while the country continues to navigate its challenging economic landscape.
