FG sets up Special Committee to curb Trailer, Tanker Road crashes

The Federal Government has inaugurated a special committee to tackle the root causes of frequent road accidents involving trailers and tankers on Nigeria’s highways.

This development was announced by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, on Monday, 28 April 2025, during a stakeholders’ meeting at the ministry’s conference room in Abuja. The meeting is regarded as a critical step towards enhancing road safety and safeguarding lives and property across the nation.

Senator Alkali stated that the committee has been tasked with examining the underlying causes of these fatal incidents and formulating effective recommendations to avert them. “We must implement practical measures to improve safety and end these avoidable tragedies on our roads,” the Minister said.

He further stressed that the safety and efficiency of the transport sector remain key priorities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s development agenda. “These accidents are not mere statistics — they represent lives lost, properties damaged, and families thrown into grief. This must stop,” he added.

According to Senator Alkali, the committee has been given one week to present its findings and proposals. Among its responsibilities is the development of mandatory training and certification programmes for trailer and tanker drivers nationwide, to ensure they meet required professional and safety standards.

The committee consists of a broad range of stakeholders, including the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Driving School Association of Nigeria (DSAN), Female Drivers’ Association (FDA), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), and the Institute of Driving Inspectors of Nigeria (IDIN).

In a goodwill message, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, Janet McDickson, expressed optimism that the committee’s work would usher in a new era of discipline, safety consciousness, and professionalism among heavy-duty vehicle drivers.

The Federal Government has also urged all relevant bodies to give their full support to the committee’s efforts in the collective interest of national road safety.