By James Isaac, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to regulate the movement and safety of articulated vehicles on the nation’s roads to curb frequent accidents and fatalities.
The bill, titled Articulated Vehicle Safety Regulation Bill, was sponsored by Senator Hussaini Babangida Uba (Jigawa North-West). In his lead debate, he emphasized the need for stricter regulations to ensure the roadworthiness of articulated vehicles, particularly petroleum tankers, in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
Key provisions of the bill include mandatory six-month vehicle inspections, enforcement of maintenance standards, reduction of harmful exhaust emissions, and measures to prevent tanker leaks and explosions. The bill also proposes stringent driver fatigue management policies, including mandatory rest periods, as well as public awareness campaigns on how to respond to tanker explosions.
Senator Uba stressed that the bill had become imperative following a series of petroleum tanker explosions in Jigawa, Lagos, Dakwa, and other states, leading to loss of lives and property. He noted that negligence on the part of vehicle owners and drivers contributed significantly to road accidents, and this legislation aims to address such lapses.
“The persistent carnage on our roads, occasioned by the haulage of petroleum products, has made it necessary to have a strong regulatory framework to forestall future occurrences,” he stated.
The bill is expected to undergo further legislative scrutiny before passage into law. If enacted, it will establish a robust safety framework for articulated vehicles, ensuring stricter compliance with road safety regulations and reducing accidents nationwide.
