Tanker explosion: Only certified drivers, vehicles will convey petroleum products –Minister

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, says the Federal Government has begun work to implement policies that will only allow certified drivers and thoroughly checked vehicles to convey petroleum products across the country. He made this known when he paid a visit to the scene of the tanker explosion at Majia […]

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, says the Federal Government has begun work to implement policies that will only allow certified drivers and thoroughly checked vehicles to convey petroleum products across the country.

He made this known when he paid a visit to the scene of the tanker explosion at Majia town in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State in company with officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA).

He said, “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians that anywhere they see this kind of incident, they should report to the nearest police station or security agencies to condone the areas to prevent people from going to endanger their lives.

“The government is taking steps to ensure things like this do not happen again by putting in place certain policies right from the depots so that trucks that will be conveying will be certified.

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“There are other agencies collaborating with us to ensure that this kind of thing does not happen again. Only vehicles that are road worthy and are certified will be allowed to convey the products. Also drivers that are certified.

“So we are taking steps but ultimately all of us have a role to play. Nigerians have a role to play.”

He described the event as a very sad one for the people of the town, Jigawa State and Nigeria at large, adding that the government was deeply concerned.

He therefore urged Nigerians to resist all temptations that will set them on the path of danger by keeping distance from tankers conveying petroleum products.