Nigeria Transport Sector to Accept Joint Liability for Truck Overloading
Stakeholders in Nigeria demand shared responsibility for cargo safety, extending accountability beyond drivers to owners and shippers.
Participants in Nigeria's transport sector are pushing for stricter enforcement of road safety rules and a new system of joint liability. During the National Breakfast Policy Dialogue, organizers launched the National Movement for Safe Loading and Safe Roads in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Shehu Mohammed, Corps Marshal of the FRSC, stated that overloading must no longer be viewed only as a traffic violation. He emphasized that unsafe loading practices threaten infrastructure, the economy, and road safety by damaging braking systems, steering, and vehicle stability. Under this proposed model, responsibility covers the entire transportation chain. Cargo owners and shippers are required to accurately declare weights and ensure proper loading. Operators must adhere to approved weight limits and maintain their vehicles. Drivers should refuse loads that are mixed or inadequately secured. Mohammed noted that improper mixing of cargo is also a concern.
