4,000 CNG Trucks: Probe Dangote’s Road Safety Records, DAPPMAN Tells FRSC
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has called on the Federal and Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to investigate the road safety records of Dangote Group.
DAPPMAN alleged that the company’s array of drivers had been known for being involved in fatal road accidents on Nigerian roads.
The allegation came on the heels of Dangote’s newly launched Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks for direct supply of petroleum products to filling stations nationwide.
“While DAPPMAN supports the introduction of CNG trucks as a cleaner energy initiative, safety cannot be compromised.
“The Dangote Group has a well-documented history of fatal road crashes linked to poorly trained or unsupervised drivers.
“Only weeks ago, Nigerians mourned the lives lost in tragic accidents involving Dangote cement trucks across multiple states,” a statement signed by DAPPMAN’s management read in part.
The association noted that adding 4,000 new trucks to Nigeria’s already strained road network without mandatory training, retraining, and safety audits only heightened the risk of further tragedies, this time involving highly flammable petroleum products.
It, therefore, urged the FRSC to investigate the road safety records of the company.
“We therefore call on the FRSC, insurance industry, and relevant regulators to conduct a comprehensive audit of Dangote’s transport operations and road safety record. Mandatory driver vetting and retraining must be a precondition before widespread deployment of these trucks.
“Residents along major corridors, such as the Lekki-Epe Expressway, are already experiencing worsening congestion and road wear due to increased truck traffic. “Without immediate intervention. The risks to lives, property, and public infrastructure will escalate,” the statement said.
Alleged Smuggling
On products smuggling to neighbouring countries, DAPPMAN said Dangote’s statements implicitly accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA), Customs, and border agencies of regulatory failure.
“This not only undermines public confidence in these institutions but poses a subtle threat to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s reform agenda. The administration has supported deregulation and competition. DAPPMAN supports these reforms fully. The refinery’s actions suggest a preference for protectionism and dominance.”
It called on the Dangote Refinery to produce evidence or retract its allegation.
The Association gave the Refinery a 7-day ultimatum to retract the allegation or face legal action.
“We challenge Dangote Refinery to present verifiable evidence that DAPPMAN members are diverting products to neighbouring countries.
Smuggling is a national security matter. If any member is complicit, let the relevant agencies act.
“We issue a 7-day ultimatum to the refinery to either retract this allegation or provide documented proof. If neither occurs, we reserve the right to seek legal redress.”
It demanded fair competition, alleging that the Refinery is scheming to monopolise the downstream sector.
“DAPPMAN does not seek conflict. We seek a petroleum market where all players follow the same rules. Consumers benefit from efficiency and choice. Supply is diversified, safe, and competitive.
We will resist any attempt to create a monopoly masked as patriotism.
The Nigerian public, regulators, and media must remain vigilant and hold all market actors accountable to the same standards of transparency, fairness, and operational excellence.”
It also rejected the allegation by the Refinery that it sponsored the recent nationwide strike threats by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
“The claim that DAPPMAN sponsored NUPENG suggests a fundamental lack of understanding of how Nigeria’s downstream ecosystem works. Stakeholders such as NUPENG, NARTO, PETROAN, MEMAN, IPMAN, and DAPPMAN are independent entities, each with distinct roles and interests.
“DAPPMAN does not control labour unions or other industry associations and has no business interfering in their decisions.
“DAPPMAN did not sponsor or support NUPENG’s proposed industrial action. Our role has been one of de-escalation, focused on averting disruption of fuel supply and national mobility.”
