The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobri, on Monday, October 14, urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to certify tanker drivers to reduce petroleum products truck accidents, explosions, and fatalities.
Addressing a delegation of the FRSC led by the Corps Marshall, Shehu Mohammed to his office, the minister also urged the Corps to certify the tanker roadworthy before they are deployed for haulage of products for the safety of the public.
He said “Our intention at this particular time is to collaborate with you so that you will be able to intensify your efforts to ensure that only tankers or trucks that are certified roadworthy, should be allowed to carry these products to different parts of the country.
“And also to certify the drivers. Even if you have a brand new driver and the driver is not well trained, I mean, he is as good as, giving him an old truck. You may buy a brand new truck so that the driver will go and crash it.”
Expressing concern over the inferno and carnage caused by petroleum truck accidents, he said: “We are deeply concerned by the recurrent cases of tank explosions and tank or truck accidents leading to the loss of several lives in Nigeria
