Major stakeholders in the oil and gas sector including the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) throws their weight behind the use of an automated technological solution to tame gridlock scourge and stop oil spillage, OLATUNDE ODEBIYI writes.
A failed brake, a loud screech of tyres as the fully loaded tanker skidded out of control. Finally, a loud bang of the explosion, followed by intense fireballs that belched uncontrollably from the smouldering tanker. Loud screams, of victims, caught unaware by the sweeping balls of fire. Smoke puffs enveloped everywhere, with tongues of fire lapping at trapped human beings and cars. By the time the dust settled, 12 people allegedly died and several injured with 55 cars burnt.
This was the tragic account of the fuel tanker explosion at the Otedola Bridge, in Lagos, on June 28 last year.
It was not the worst tanker incident recorded on that road, there have been oil spillages that has led to loss of lives and properties, but it generated enough heat to begin the search for a solution, most especially in Lagos State.
Last Thursday, enlarged stakeholders, made up of operators in the upstream sector of the oil and gas, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Total Downstream Plc, Federal Fire Service and Lagos State Fire Service, brainstormed again on this recurring scourge, restating calls for the deployment of automated solutions.
Other stakeholders at the meeting are; members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Lagos State Ministry of Energy, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association of Nigeria, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, among others.
The meeting, which was on the heels of the yearly general meeting of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Lagos Zonal Office and the Petroleum Product Marketers, with the theme; “Ensuring a safe petroleum products transportation system,” took place at the Oriental Hotels, Lagos.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Hyginus Omeje, who spoke on: Technological innovations in road traffic and incidents management” stressed the need to use automated solutions to address incessant traffic gridlock, adding that leveraging on modern technology system at the port would not only prevent a deluge of tankers, but put an end to spillages and put gridlock on the roads in check.
He noted that even with new roads, bypass or expansion of existing ones, the ever increasing volume of road traffic is already outstripping the road networks capacity. The inadequate road infrastructure gives way to huge traffic leaving traffic managers with a huge headache.
He said; “We currently, have 11.7 million registered vehicles on Lagos roads, with 204, 000, roads, both federal and states. This has given rise to a worrisome road traffic collision, which keeps rising daily. In 2018, we recorded 302 accidents, but in 2019, we have surpassed that figure.
According to him; “Road traffic management driven with technological innovations will bring effectiveness, efficiency, safety and eco-friendliness as the global vehicular population increases and demand for road network infrastructure soars tremendously.
“Gridlock will remain like this and we will not get a different result until the automated system is put in place in the ports. If we can leverage on technology, we can solve the gridlock soon. With technology, we can automate everything that is going into the port, such that all the trailers and tankers will be at their holding bay until they are called into the port to load their wet cargo through the e-call up the system.”
Omeje railed that most of the vehicles on the roads are aged, calling for re-fleeting.
Following closely on the ageing trucks deployed to the road is speed violation, which, according to him, is fast emerging as the leading cause of accidents on the road. He said investment loss occasioned by this accident is getting huge and it is affecting the economy, hence the need to deploy technology to address the issues.
“There should be traffic enforcement with integrated field sanctions through installation of fixed camera’s on the roads. Deploying technology will make road transportation safer and faster, it will reduce fuel consumption and in turn make the state economically viable.
He said the FRSC is already discussing with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and other stakeholders to create a lasting solution to the hazards.
“We are also looking at how the Federal Government can create a fund where most of these investors can leverage on just like the Africa Development Bank and Bank of Industry; we are looking toward that direction for fleet renewal in Nigeria, so that it can be renewed seamlessly.
“This renewal comes as a huge cost to us, the average cost of the head of a tanker is over N30 million, excluding the body. We are also discussing with NARTO and other members in the sector, to see how we can do away with trucks that are no longer roadworthy. This cannot just come by legislation and enforcement; we need to engage them because these people and their families rely on these trucks. If we pulled the old trucks out without providing alternatives, it will not work,” he said.
The Acting Director of Petroleum Resources, Ahmad Shakur, said land transportation is the most used mode to move products in Nigeria, because of the challenges posed by the over 4,000km network of the pipeline.
Shakur who was represented by Head, Basinal Assessment / Lease Administration, Sani Hassan, added that issues of integrity, vandalism and insecurity of pipelines has led to continued reliance on tanker trucks to move petroleum products from one part of the country to another.
“This turn has raised the challenges today, especially on the safe transportation of petroleum products in the country. We found that a number of traffic gridlock in Lagos are attributable to the transportation system for wet products by road.
“The DPR is looking forward to ensuring that only trucks with good integrity and tracking systems with tanker roll-over protection systems are deployed for petroleum haulage on our road. We are also taking proactive steps to find lasting solutions to the challenges of safe and efficient road distribution of petroleum products, through liaising with relevant government agencies on solutions, including scheduling of tanker truck movements, provision of fast and efficient towing services and engaging with the state government on improving the conditions of roads on traffic management and provision of land for truck parks, among others.
We are also moderating operations and host community relationship at some depots, amongst others.
He enjoined the stakeholders for continued cooperation as they all seek to find a lasting solution to the challenges of petroleum products distribution. “The Department thanks all the stakeholders for ensuring product availability throughout the year. We also implore you all to work assiduously to ensure there is no scarcity as the year gradually draws to a close. I enjoin you all to work with the government and the department in ensuring an accident-free yuletide. We shall continue to work with all stakeholders to drive and enhance good business practises.
Zonal Operations Controller, DPR Lagos, Wole Akinyosoye, said only truck tankers with tracking systems will be deployed for haulage.
According to him, despite the current state of the roads, human error is responsible for most of the accidents caused by truck tankers including that of the Otedola Bridge.
“We all know the state of the roads but even if the government starts fixing all the roads today, all cannot be fixed immediately, hence the need for us to find solutions to the traffic and spillage of oil on the roads despite the current state of the roads. We should not blame the state of the roads for the problem, rather with the state of the roads, we should do the needful and play our own part.”
According to him, most of the road accidents in the country are as a result of human errors. “From the reckless driving to bad vehicle; we must get better to ensure we stay in business and keep our business safe. Our aim is zero accidents, we must strategize on how to do our business.
He identified poor driver certification process, poor vehicle maintenance culture, ignorance and lack of awareness on the acute danger of the products as some of the factors responsible for the hazards in the sector.
Other factors, he said, are, driver’s ignorance of road signs, truck integrity issues, driving under the influence of alcohol and sales of alcohol as well as intoxicants at depot areas.
He proffered the use of speed limiters, use of truck trackers and spills prevention seals on tanker trucks, among others as the solution to the hazards. He also said the process of being a tanker driver must have a good certification process
He also called for a review of protocol governing road truck haulage, improved tanker truck safety, specialized training for petroleum products haulage drivers, industry safety training/certification for the transportation of hazardous petroleum products on roads and training for petroleum products emergency respondents.
According to him, the AGM was to discuss and proffer solutions to specific challenges currently plaguing the industry.
“Our aim is to ensure a safe petroleum products transportation system in the sector; and to proffer solutions to ameliorate, reduce and eliminate frequent truck overturns and accident as well as the impact on lives and properties.
“There has been a surge in petroleum tanker incidents in recent times leading to various degrees of losses. The persistent damage from road haulage of petroleum products in our society is growing at an alarming rate and this necessitated the theme for the AGM. We must all come together at this time to chart a way for sustainable solutions,” he said.
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