In a bid to improve safety and enhance the identification of petroleum product transporters, the Federal Government has mandated that all petroleum trucks be painted in specific colours based on the type of product they carry. The directive, issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in collaboration with the Unified Petroleum Price Engagement Network, is aimed at mitigating risks associated with the transportation of petroleum products across Nigeria. According to a notice sent to truck owners and obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, the latest regulation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb road accidents involving petroleum tankers. Sunday PUNCH recalls that on February 20, 2025, the NMDPRA banned trucks with a maximum loading capacity of 60,000 litres, capping the permissible limit at 45,000 litres. This decision was triggered by the rising number of fatal accidents, which have claimed 493 lives over the past three years. The regulatory authority stated that the announcement followed a meeting with industry stakeholders, convened in response to the frequent incidents of explosions and accidents caused by overloaded petroleum trucks. NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, also recommended the adoption of the “safe-to-load” initiative alongside the colour-coding and branding of tank trucks to ensure safer operations. Under the new guidelines, trucks transporting Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) are to be painted light blue and deep yellow, while those carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) must be painted blue. Trucks transporting Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) are to be painted deep yellow, Jet A1 carriers in black, and bio-fuel transporters in deep green. The notice read, “We have been informed that the Unified Petroleum Price Engagement Network and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority have begun implementing the colour code policy for all petroleum products. “As part of this directive, All trucks transporting AGO must be painted in the designated AGO colour. All trucks transporting PMS must be painted in the designated PMS colour. “This colour code policy applies to all trucks before departure. Please ensure compliance with this new regulation to avoid any disruptions to your operations.” It further stated that penalties for non-compliance by truck owners will take effect from May 1, 2025. At present, no fewer than 2,000 trucks with a 60,000-litre capacity are transporting refined petroleum products nationwide—a figure that rises when trucks of varying capacities are accounted for.