The House of Representatives is considering a bill that would make mandatory drug testing every six months a requirement for truck and tanker drivers operating on Nigerian roads as part of efforts to reduce the rising number of fatal crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles.

The proposal was disclosed on Tuesday by Peter Uzokwe, who represents Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Anambra State, during an interactive session of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) with stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

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Uzokwe, who sponsored the bill, said substance abuse among truck drivers has become a major factor contributing to tanker and trailer accidents across the country.

According to him, while drivers may receive adequate professional training, the use of illicit drugs impairs judgment, reduces alertness, and undermines the effectiveness of such training, thereby posing serious risks to lives and property.

He disclosed that the proposed legislation is currently awaiting its second and third readings in the House of Representatives.

During the meeting, petroleum marketers also highlighted several challenges affecting the downstream oil sector, including logistics bottlenecks, rising financing costs, inadequate storage facilities, pipeline vandalism, and multiple taxation.

The lawmakers assured stakeholders that further consultations would be held with relevant regulatory agencies to address the identified concerns and strengthen safety standards in Nigeria’s petroleum transportation industry.

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