SAFEGUARDING THE FLOW: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR THE SAFE AND SECURE ROAD HAULAGE OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN NIGERIA 0 0
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.83374/jesber.vol1no2.73Keywords:
dangerous goods regulation, logistics security, Nigeria, petroleum haulage, policy framework, risk management, sustainable development goals, transport safetyAbstract
The supply chain of petroleum products is vital for socio-economic development. Road haulage of petroleum in Nigeria is a crucial yet dangerous part of the national logistics system. Although essential for keeping the economy active and distributing energy, this transport mode is often affected by accidents, fires, cargo theft, and insecurity. These repeated incidents cause significant human, environmental, and economic damage, exposing ongoing issues in regulation, enforcement, and institutional coordination. This paper uses qualitative desk research, following a documented search, screening, and thematic-coding protocol (Section 5.0), to examine the governance structure behind petroleum haulage in Nigeria. It reviews policy documents, laws, and reports while drawing comparisons with international frameworks such as the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). The analysis, structured through the lenses of Risk Governance, High Reliability Organisation, and Socio-Technical Systems theory, reveals important gaps in driver training, fleet management, emergency response, and inter-agency cooperation, which increase risks and weaken the sector's resilience. To tackle these problems, the paper suggests a three-tier policy framework: an Immediate tier (0–2 years) aimed at immediate risk reduction through stricter enforcement and raising public awareness; a Short-Term tier (2–5 years) that seeks to strengthen the system by modernising fleets, adopting data-based regulation, and improving cooperation among institutions; and a Medium-Term tier (5–10 years) that recommends structural reforms including multimodal transport options, integrating rail and pipeline alternatives, and aligning Nigeria's regulations with international standards. This framework contributes to academic discourse and policy on transport safety and logistics security, emphasising reforms to foster a safer, more secure, and sustainable system in Nigeria, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as 3.6 (road traffic safety) and 11.2 (sustainable transport systems).Downloads
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