The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said on Wednesday that it will introduce a new set of safety rules for trucks coming into Lagos ports.
The new rules captioned as ‘minimum safety standards (MSS)’ are effective as from Friday April 23, 2021.
In a statement that was issued on Thursday by the operators of NPA’s Electronic call up system, Messrs Truck Transit Park Limited (TTPL), and which was sighted by our correspondent, the NPA said the new rule is “in a bid to ensure safety of lives within the ports corridor”.
The TTPL quoted that NPA as directing that the minimum safety standards (MSS) for trucks should be implemented on eto by Trucks.
The NPA also added that, it is considering introducing age limit for trucks coming into Lagos ports to load cargoes.
While listing the new trucks’ safety measures, it said “kindly note that any truck confirmed by NPA to have met the minimum safety standards and have been given an MSS certificate will continue to be active on eto. However, trucks who are yet to meet the minimum safety standard and yet to get their certificate will be suspended until they have met all the MSS requirements set by NPA”.
Under the new MSS regime, “the truck head must be neat and generally presentable and all operational devices and control in good working condition. The truck windscreen must be double-glazed; no plastic or cracked windscreen. The driver and passenger seat must be in good condition with appropriate safety devices e.g. safety belt”
Also, particulars of such vehicles “must be valid e.g. vehicle license, roadworthiness, Insurance, etc”. The driver must also “possess appropriate and valid driver’s license”.
For trailer main body (carriage unit), NPA said “The carriage must be appropriate for the load i.e. flat bed for containerize goods while bucket rigid body for general goods. The chassis of the trailer must be of adequate strength for the tonnage it is designed to carry. The tonnage of the load should be equal or less than the axle load carrying capacity. The carriage unit must be fitted with reflector, trafficators and warning signs.”
“No worn out tyres. Tyres must have a minimum thread of 5mm depth. There should be no visible cut/sowing/rethreading of tyres. Tyres should be gauged to the recommended pressures. • All wheel studs and nuts must be in place. All Trucks must carry a minimum of two spare tyres of good quality”
It added that, “both foot and hand brakes must be active, while Lifting jack must be in good working condition.”
Other conditions, as spelt out in the new requirements are: WEDGES: A minimum of two (2) nos. wedges must be on the Truck.
ENGINE: • Starting and stopping of an engine must be by the driver via the ignition key and stop button or switch respectively. • Engine radiator must be covered at all times without overheating sign. • Excessive engine exhaust smoke is not acceptable. • Engine generally must be washed periodically.
BATTERY: • Battery compartment must be well secured. • It should be insulated and fixed.
BRAKE LIGHTS: • All brake lights must be functional. • The brake unit must contain the brake lights reflectors. • The trailer head and carriage unit must also have reflector units.
TRAFFICATORS: • Every vehicle must be fitted with functional and visible trafficators (right & left) both at the trailer head and at the Container Carriage Units.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER: • Fire extinguishers must be available and functional.
WARNING DEVICE: • The horn must be functionally audible. • Horn must meet the road safety standard. • The trailer must be fitted with a functional amber-revolving light. • Two caution signs with warning signal/light must be carried on the truck.
FUEL TANK: • Must be equipped with properly secured an functional fuel cover.
TWIST LOCKS: • The twist locks for a 20-footer container should be 4 standard Container twist locks while that of 40-footer container Carrier should be 8 standard twist locks. • All twist locks must be collapsible type. • In case of billets, pipes and other general cargo carriages, the carriage must be fixed with tension ropes and tensioner.
TRAILER LANDING LEGS: • The landing legs of trailer must have functional winding device. • The legs must be able to sustain load. • The functional gear winner must be greased at all times,” the vehicle must have Road Traffic Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS) Certificate of FRSC. • The vehicle must have speed limiter installed on it.”
“In addition to the above minimum conditions, management at a later date may consider the possibility of fixing age limit for all Trucks coming into the Port for operation”, the statement added.
