Petroleum, gas stakeholders colloborate to tackle tanker explosion in Taraba

 The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), on Friday hosted critical stakeholders in the petroleum and gas sector to address the incessant insidences of tanker explosions in Taraba.

Alhaji Abdullahi Bature, Coordinator of the NMDPRA in the state, while addressing stakeholders  at its first quarter stakeholders meeting in Jalingo,  said that Taraba has  recorded three tanker explosion incidences so far in 2025.

Bature said that the collaboration became necessary for the identification of workable solutions to the challenge.

He stated that such incidences had caused a lot of downturn on the economy and  loss of lives.

He said that the safety of drivers was a matter of concern to the agency, encouraging  stakeholders to suggest measures that could stem the tide of tanker explosions.

The coordinator also said that the agency was considering the use  of various media platforms for the sensitization of drivers on safety measures.

Malam Muazu Muhammed, Head of Gas, while making a presentation on tanker exploition incidents and truck-in-transit accidents, emphasized that the safety of operators was paramount to the organization.

He said that the collaboration with all stakeholders in the state was intended to  identify measures that could address the ugly trend.

Muhammad urged participants to identify workable resolutions that would be enforced to achieve the goal.

Alhaji Ahmed Isa of the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), commended NMDPRA for bringing partners together with a view to charting a common cause.

He said that NATO members had lost several vehicles and products through accidents, adding that the menace had a direct economic effect on their businesses.

In his remarks, Mr Adi Mikyin, a superintendent of fire service, advised stakeholders to prioritize training  and retraining of drivers.

Mikyin observed that lack of professionalism was a major  cause of accidents by the trucks and tanker drivers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that critical stakeholders, such as the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, representatives  of the federal and state  fire services, among others, attended the meeting.

 (NAN)