Dangote cautions petroleum marketers over rising risks from leaking tankers

The Dangote Group has issued a strong warning to petroleum marketers over the growing use of leaking and poorly maintained tankers for the transportation of refined petroleum products across the country, describing the trend as dangerous and capable of triggering large-scale fire disasters, environmental contamination and loss of lives. The company said the increasing reports of product spillages from tankers belonging to some independent marketers have raised safety concerns, especially as more trucks now load products from the Dangote Refinery for nationwide distribution.

According to the organisation, the warnings followed several incidents in which some marketers’ trucks were found to be leaking while leaving the refinery’s loading bay or while in transit on major highways. The company explained that this is not only a violation of strict safety and operational standards but also a threat to the public, as petrol and diesel spillages can ignite with the slightest spark. It expressed worry that certain operators have continued to deploy old, poorly serviced or structurally compromised tankers simply to cut costs, despite the risks posed to other road users and host communities.

The Dangote Group maintained that all truck owners transporting petroleum products from the refinery are required to meet the highest safety benchmarks. This includes proper sealing of valves, standard calibration, metallic integrity testing, and periodic inspection. The company noted that many of the incidents recorded in recent weeks stemmed from trucks that failed basic safety assessments but were still put on the road by their owners. It warned that such practices would no longer be tolerated, insisting that any transporter found operating a leaking vessel would face immediate sanctions and possible blacklisting.

In addition, the Group emphasised that petroleum products require careful handling, especially at a time when movement of fuel across long distances has increased as the refinery ramps up production. It stressed that a single leaking tanker could lead to catastrophic consequences, citing past tragedies in which roadside residents, motorists and passers-by were killed due to tanker explosions caused by minor leakages. The company said that preventing such occurrences must be treated as a shared responsibility among regulators, marketers and transporters.

Dangote also highlighted the environmental dangers associated with product leakage. The company noted that spillage of petrol, diesel or jet fuel into the soil and waterways leads to contamination that can destroy farmlands, pollute rivers, kill livestock and render communities unsafe. It added that many rural communities depend on streams for drinking water and would be endangered by indiscriminate spillage caused by negligence on the part of tanker owners. The organisation urged marketers to invest in safety compliance rather than wait for disasters that could attract heavy penalties and legal liabilities.

The company reaffirmed that it remains committed to global safety standards and would continue collaborating with regulatory agencies to enforce full compliance among transporters loading from its facilities. It said joint inspections with relevant authorities are already underway to ensure that only roadworthy, fully sealed and properly serviced tankers are allowed to lift products. According to Dangote, this move is part of efforts to build a safety-first culture around the operations of the refinery and surrounding transport network.

Industry watchers note that fuel transportation in Nigeria has long suffered from inadequate regulation, ageing fleet of tankers and insufficient enforcement of safety rules. Many trucks currently in circulation are decades old, with worn-out tanks, dysfunctional valves and weak chassis that can no longer sustain long-distance movement. Analysts say the Dangote caution is timely, particularly now that increased product availability from the refinery has boosted tanker traffic on major routes. They believe stricter enforcement could force marketers to upgrade their fleets, thereby improving road safety.

Several stakeholders in the downstream sector have welcomed the warning, saying it is necessary to reduce avoidable road accidents and fire outbreaks. Some tanker drivers also acknowledged that owners often refuse to invest in repairs, insisting that daily earnings are prioritised over safety considerations. They expressed hope that with the new monitoring measures from Dangote and regulators, operators would be compelled to overhaul or replace defective tankers.

The Dangote Group urged petroleum marketers to see compliance as an investment rather than a burden, explaining that failure to adhere to safety protocols could lead to suspension of loading rights, seizure of products or prosecution where negligence results in fatalities. It also encouraged operators to participate in continuous training on tanker maintenance, spill prevention, emergency response and safe driving practices.

Reiterating its commitment to protecting the public and safeguarding the environment, the Group stated that ensuring product safety from the loading bay to the final delivery point remains a top priority. It assured that the refinery would maintain strict surveillance and enforce sanctions where necessary to deter misconduct among transporters. By sending a clear warning, the company said it aims to minimise risk, strengthen operational standards and support a safer fuel distribution system nationwide.