Stakeholders in Nigeria’s petroleum and transport sectors have renewed calls for improved road networks and a reduction in highway checkpoints to address the rising cases of tanker explosions and fire incidents across Adamawa and Taraba states.
At a sensitization programme organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Jalingo on the 26th of June, 2025, the Taraba State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Alhaji Dahiru Modibbo, blamed the high number of checkpoints for contributing to accidents and delaying movement along major routes.
“We are the direct victims of tanker explosions, so this initiative by NEMA is commendable,” Modibbo said. He called on the Federal Government to focus more on fixing and upgrading roads to prevent recurring disasters.
Alhaji Ahmed Isa of the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO) echoed Modibbo’s concerns. He appealed to Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas to fast-track the ongoing trailer park project in Jalingo, stressing the importance of providing a safe space for articulated vehicles.
Isa said the lack of a proper parking facility leaves many trucks lining the highways, creating danger for both road users and people living nearby.
NEMA’s Director-General, Hajia Zubaida Umar, said the campaign titled Stakeholders Engagement Awareness on Tankers/Fire Accidents in Adamawa and Taraba is timely given the surge in tanker-related emergencies in the region.
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Speaking through Giwa Kurutsi, Head of Search and Rescue at NEMA’s Yola Operations Office, Umar explained that the campaign is focused on protecting human lives and property.
“It is critical to acknowledge that tanker accidents not only endanger the lives of those involved but also pose significant risks to the wider community and the environment,” she said.
Umar stated that the campaign would include workshops, public awareness drives, and hands-on training covering fire safety, emergency coordination, and crisis communication.
In his remarks, Yakubu Fungus, Assistant Controller of the Federal Fire Service in Taraba, urged tanker operators to follow all traffic laws and prioritize safety at all times.
He reassured residents of the fire service’s readiness to act swiftly in emergency situations.