Commission collaborates with NUPENG to train tanker drivers

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Saturday said it was collaborating with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on periodic training of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers unit.

The NUPENG South-West Chairman, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the training had become necessary because of the frequent road accidents involving tanker drivers that usually claimed many lives.

NAN reports that on Dec. 5, an oil tanker spilled its contents around the Ojuelegba area of Surulere, Lagos, leading to a fire that destroyed four houses and several vehicles parked in the area.

Korodo said that the training would assist the tanker drivers to enhance their driving skills and educate them on safety on the highways.

"We are hoping to reduce accidents on the highways involving petroleum tankers and this can only be possible when we train the tanker drivers.

"They will become more safety conscious and careful on the road.’’

Korodo urged the Federal Government to fix the Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, especially the Ilasamaja axis, saying the road was barely motorable.

"Tanker drivers spend close to a day in traffic at the Ilasamaja axis of the road, because of its condition.

"The drivers are always trying to dodge potholes in that area.

"The Ilasamaja portion of the road is terrible; there is no day that two or three tankers or articulated vehicles will not break down on that road.

"This is causing a serious headache to us because this is one of the major roads used by the petroleum tankers.

"Due to the state of the road, most of our tankers that ply the expressway always get to their stations late,’’ he added.