The Fire Protection Association of Nigeria has expressed concerns about the frequent occurrences of tanker fire accidents in the country. The association attributes these incidents to a lack of specialized training for drivers, weak enforcement of regulations, and design flaws in tanker construction.
The Chairman of the Board of Fellows of the Association highlighted the negative impact of these accidents on the economy and society, leading to loss of lives and property destruction. He emphasized the need for training programs to address human factors like fatigue, carelessness, and distractions that are often overlooked.
In addition to driver training, the association also raised concerns about the construction of tankers. Many tankers in Nigeria have design flaws due to the practice of importing heads while fabricating bodies locally, leading to misalignment that can result in catastrophic failures during transportation.
The association called for improved emergency response preparedness for tanker fire incidents and emphasized the importance of enforcing existing regulations within the petroleum industry to mitigate risks. Collaboration between the Federal Government, the Organized Private Sector, and the Fire Protection Association of Nigeria was recommended to develop a strategic program to reduce the frequency of tanker fire accidents.
Furthermore, discussions on minimizing tanker fire accidents will be a sub-theme at the upcoming Lagos International Fire and Safety Conference, where international stakeholders will participate in finding long-term solutions for Nigeria.