FRSC RECORDS 61.29% DROP IN TANKER FATALITIES AS SAFE-TO-LOAD PROGRAMME DELIVERS UNPRECEDENTED SAFETY GAINS

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded a significant milestone in its sustained efforts to curb tanker and trailer-related crashes, achieving a remarkable 61.29% reduction in fatalities and a 15.53% decline in crash severity index in 2025.

These unprecedented gains have been attributed to the effective implementation of the Safe-to-Load Programme under the strategic leadership of the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, mni.

Speaking at the flag-off of the 2026 Technical Training for FRSC Desk Officers stationed at petroleum depots and terminals in Lagos, the Corps Marshal described the achievement as a clear validation of the Corps’ data-driven enforcement approach and robust inter-agency collaboration framework.

He noted that the Safe-to-Load Programme, introduced in 2015 in line with Nigeria’s adoption of global safety standards for the transportation of dangerous goods, has significantly improved compliance across the petroleum haulage sector.

According to him, compliance with Class G Driver Licence requirements has surged from an initial 58.2% to an impressive 99.4%, while the installation of critical safety components, including API-standard leak-proof systems, has risen to 98.3%.

Despite the progress, the Corps Marshal emphasised that the FRSC remains resolute in its pursuit of zero fatalities. He warned that any tanker that fails to meet Safe-to-Load requirements will be denied loading without exception. He further stated that all tanker-related crashes will be subjected to comprehensive investigations covering the entire value chain, from depot operators to vehicle owners.

He also expressed concern over persistent violations such as tampering with speed limiting devices and poor maintenance culture, describing them as serious threats to national road safety.

Reaffirming the Corps’ renewed enforcement stance, the Corps Marshal declared that “the era of impunity on Nigerian roads is over,” stressing that the Safe-to-Load Programme has evolved from a regulatory mechanism into a national safety imperative.

He urged operators, drivers, and all stakeholders to embrace full compliance, noting that every crash prevented translates to lives saved, property protected, and national resources preserved.

The Corps remains committed to deepening technology-driven monitoring systems, enhancing capacity building for its personnel, and strengthening strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), MEMAN, DAPPMAN, NARTO, NUPENG, and IPMAN.