SAFETY ENGINEERS INSTITUTION DEMANDS POLICY ON CONSTRUCTION OF PETROLEUM TANKERS

‘The Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers is again calling on all stakeholders involved in the safety of our roads to act urgently to address the increasing occurrences of petrol tanker fires in Nigeria. All must come together to create a solution to the incessant petrol tanker fires in the country’.

Penpushing further reports that, the body emphasized that policies on the requirements for the safe operations and maintenance of petroleum tankers by the owners and the users must also be put into consideration.

‘Appropriate systems required for the monitoring and enforcement of such policies by the agencies involved in supervising the operations and maintenance of petroleum tankers can also be worked out in conjunction with Nigerian engineers’,Oyedepo said.

The Institution said it can also help define policies that will strengthen the regulations for facilities used in handling of petroleum products in Nigeria, adding the policies to be defined will include standards for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of downstream oil and gas facilities in Nigeria.

Penpushing also reports that Oyedepo said standards will be based on international standards and best practices but will be shaped based on the learnings and experience gained from previous disasters in Nigeria.

‘Stakeholders will also need to review policies for road safety. Nigerian Safety engineers are calling on policy makers to improve regulations on automotive transport especially in making policies for effective monitoring and enforcement of vehicle inspection and road worthiness. Recommendations for the safe operations and maintenance of articulated vehicles and especially for vehicles that carry petroleum products.

‘Safety Engineers will also like policy makers to review policies that will assist in improving the design and construction of roads at all levels of government – Federal, State and Local government – and more especially for those that are in challenging terrains’. 

‘Engineering support is required to ensure that roads are built to a standard that will ensure they remain in good condition for much longer. The maintenance of roads also requires increased focus by all levels of government and policies to assist in reducing costs and maximizing the life of the road in their jurisdiction’.

‘Nigerian Safety Engineers are calling on administrators at all levels to partner for the safety of their roads. Nigerian Safety Engineers will be happy to work with the various administrators to develop actionable recommendations for their local roads and in defining approaches for effective monitoring and enforcement of compliance with road regulations in their area’.

Penpushing reports that, the Institution emphasized and noted that, the urgency of the times is great and all Governmental Ministries, Departments and Agencies that are involved in road safety are called upon to act together so that a solution can be provided.