The
Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has
assured the petroleum tanker drivers that in the determination of the FRSC to
reduce the difficulties faced by motorists during the Christmas and New Year
celebrations in moving from one location to the other, FRSC would extend the
necessary support that could make distribution of petroleum products safe and
convenient.
Speaking
to newsmen yesterday, the Corps Marshal noted that the reassurance became necessary
in view of the recent resolution by the Executive Council of the Petroleum
Drivers Union Branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
(PTD-NUPENG) during its recent meeting held in Lagos where it was resolved that
movement of petroleum tankers in the night be banned forthwith.
According
to Bisi Kazeem, the Head Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, the Corps Marshal
said the Corps had to relax the night travels ban as a result of the
yuletide. The earlier resolution was in line with the FRSC’s
campaign against night travels.
Oyeyemi
said considering the current demand for petroleum products across the country
due to heightened movement of people for Christmas and New year celebrations,
the Corps would rather strengthen its support to the tanker drivers to ensure
that they adhere strictly to the minimum safety standards and drivers operate
with professional ethics. He noted that the recent upsurge in tanker crashes
was occasioned by fatalities that could have been avoided if the affected
tankers were operating with safety valves, saying the spillage caused by the
fallen tankers led to inferno that resulted in heavy loss of lives and
destruction of property.
“We
know that it is impossible to totally avoid tanker crashes in the country; but
the impact can be controlled if the drivers adhere to minimum safety standards.
That is why we are insisting that all tankers must operate with safety valves,”
he stated.
Oyeyemi
expressed dismay at the loss suffered by the nation in the aftermath of the 283
tanker crashes that occurred across the country this year, noting that the
economic losses from the crashes are frightening. He called on all stakeholders
to come together to combat the menace. He identified some factors militating
against safe trucking in the country. These include the attitude of some
drivers who undermine safety rules by giving their vehicles to motor boys to
drive; violation of axle load requirements and operation of mechanically
deficient vehicles. “FRSC will operate day and night and work with the
stakeholders to ensure that the road remains safe and obstruction-free
throughout the period of the celebration and beyond.
He
added that part of the measures being taken by the FRSC to address the menace
are working with relevant agencies of the government on the regulation on
vehicle types to be imported into the country; ensuring that the tankers are
well illuminated in the night through the use of retro-reflective tapes;
retraining of tanker drivers in conjunction with PTD-NUPENG and ensuring
vehicle renewal programme to ensure that tankers of over 30 years most of which
are the causes of the crashes are changed.
The
FRSC Boss also appealed to driving school proprietors to consider establishing
more tanker driving schools in the country, noting that the only one existing
tanker driving school in the country is incapable of meeting the training needs
of over 4,000 drivers that require professional training.
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Society