The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, says the Safe-to-Load training of FRSC personnel is equipping them to enforce rules and deepen safety culture in petroleum transport sector.
Mohammed gave the assurance at the flag-off of the 2026 Technical Training for FRSC Desk Officers Implementing the Safe-to-Load Programme at Petroleum Depots and Terminals.
The event held on Thursday in Lagos.
According to Mohammed, the era of impunity on highways is over.
“Compliance with safety regulations must be absolute and accountability must be enforced at all levels.
“I charge all participating officers and marshals to embrace this training with seriousness, dedication and commitment to excellence.
“Every inspection carried out, every standard upheld, and every intervention made should contribute directly to saving lives, protecting the environment, and strengthening the integrity of the system,” he said.
The FRSC boss said that road transport remained the critical backbone of petroleum product logistics in Nigeria, with tanker trucks accounting for over 95 per cent of distribution.
He, however, noted that this mode of transport had significant potential for catastrophic incidents if not properly controlled.
“Towards managing this unacceptable level of safety risk, the Federal Government instituted the Safe-to-Load programme in 2015 and acceded to the 1957 United Nations Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).
“The implementation of these interventions has continued to elevate safety standards, as reflected in the declining trend of tanker-related incidents.”
He said that operational reviews at the end of 2025 indicated significant progress.
“Compliance with valid class and driver licence rose to 99.4 per cent compared to 58.2 per cent at the inception of the programme in 2015.
“Installation of API-standard leak-proof systems and manhole covers reached 98.3 per cent.
“A total of 268 tanker-related crashes were recorded in 2025, with fatality and severity indices declining by 61.29 per cent and 15.53 per cent, respectively, compared to the situation in 2024,” he said.
He said that while progress was acknowledged, there was need to confront the reality of recurring tragic incidents such as the Majia tanker explosion, the Dikko Junction inferno, and the Indorama explosion.
He said that the incidents underscored the need for sustained vigilance and continuous strengthening of the road safety management system, particularly in the light of the prevailing socio-economic challenges affecting truck operations.
He said that the training programme was therefore a strategic investment in competence, professionalism, and leadership.
“Accordingly, the corps will continue to enforce the following measures: any tanker that fails to meet Safe-to-Load requirements shall not be permitted to load under any circumstance.
“All tanker-related crashes will be subjected to thorough investigation, with responsibility extended across the entire chain, including inspecting officers, depot management, drivers, and vehicle owners,” he said.
He said that tampering with speed limiting devices or any critical safety system would attract strict enforcement actions, including prosecution.
“Operators are required to comply fully with prescribed maintenance schedules for all safety-critical components, particularly API-standard manhole covers and valves.
“The corps will intensify monitoring through both physical inspection and deployment of technology-driven compliance systems at depots and along transit corridors,” he said.
He praised the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for sustained inter-agency collaboration.
Assistant Chief Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide who is in charge of operations, said: “Today, we are taking a bold step forward, equipping inspectors with advanced knowledge, technical skills, and enforcement strategies tailored specifically to the complexities of petroleum truck operations.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to ensuring that every truck journey is conducted with the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and sustainability.”
