As part of efforts to enhance safety and streamline the identification of petroleum product transportation, the Federal Government has issued a directive mandating truck owners to paint their vehicles in distinct colours corresponding to the products they carry.
This directive, given by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in partnership with the unified Petroleum Price Engagement Network, aims to reduce the risks associated with petroleum product transportation across the country.
A notice sent to all truck owners and obtained by our correspondent revealed the latest development.
On the 20th of February 2025, the NMDPRA announced a ban on trucks with a maximum loading capacity of 60,000 litres, indicating that 45,000-litre capacity trucks were going to be the maximum allowed tankers.
This follows the increasing number of deaths resulting from petrol tanker accidents, which has led to the death of 493 persons in three years.
The announcement, according to the authority, was sequel to the meeting the authority held with stakeholders in the industry owing to the recurring accidents and explosions due to overloaded petroleum products trucks.
Other measures recommended by the NMDPRA Authority Chief, Farouk Ahmed, were the implementation of safe-to-load initiatives, colour coding and branding of all tank trucks.
According to the new regulations, trucks transporting Automotive Gas Oil must be painted in light blue and deep yellow, while trucks carrying Premium Motor Spirit must be painted in blue.
Trucks conveying Dual Purpose Kerosene must be in a deep yellow colour, black colour for Jet A1 and a deep green colour indication for bio-fuel trucks.
The notice read, “We have been informed that the Unified Petroleum Price Engagement Network and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority have begun implementing the colour code policy for all petroleum products.
“As part of this directive, All trucks transporting AGO must be painted in the designated AGO colour. All trucks transporting PMS must be painted in the designated PMS colour.
“This colour code policy applies to all trucks before departure. Please ensure compliance with this new regulation to avoid any disruptions to your operations.”
It added that the penalty on default by truck owners will commence on May 1, 2025.
Currently, at least 2,000 trucks are transporting 60,000 litres of refined petroleum products across the country, with the number increasing if trucks of other sizes are included.
The President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, Yusuf Othman, confirmed that the government has issued the directive.
“Yes, it is true. They have issued the directive,” he confirmed but declined to provide further details.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps on Saturday said the enforcement of the policy limiting tanker loading capacity to a maximum of 60,000 litres is currently focused on loading depots, rather than highways.
The ban, which took effect on March 1, 2025, targets various depots across Nigeria and restricts the loading of fuel tankers to no more than 60,000 litres.
Starting in the fourth quarter of 2025, trucks with a capacity greater than 45,000 litres will no longer be allowed to load petroleum products.
The FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, explained to Sunday PUNCH that while the policy had been implemented at depots nationwide, enforcement on highways has not yet begun due to the significant safety risks.
He noted that pursuing overloaded tankers on the highways poses substantial dangers, making the FRSC opt for a more cautious approach.
“We are taking a gradual approach to enforcement due to the risks of chasing overloaded tankers on the highways. For now, our focus is on ensuring compliance at loading points, and we have already started sensitisation efforts at these locations,” Ogungbemide said.
While some tankers may still carry smaller amounts in larger containers, Ogungbemide assured that the FRSC was managing the situation carefully, prioritising safety over immediate highway enforcement.
“We are fully aware of the potential risks and challenges involved, but for now, the focus remains on ensuring compliance at the depots. Enforcement on the highways will follow at a later stage,” he added.
