The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA has urged petroleum marketers and other operators in the industry to strictly adhere to safety procedures to guard against incessant fire disaster in filling stations.
North East Regional Coordinator of the Agency Malam Yusuf Shehu made call at a Zonal sensitisation workshop for stakeholders on Health, Safety Environment in the industry in Maiduguri.
He stressed the need for the marketers to ensure regular training of pump operators and other staff to abide by regulations of the industry.
“Apart from obeying the law in safety, is also a way of securing your investment because petroleum industry is a huge investment, therefore there is the need to safeguard your investment while also seeing it as a necessary to adhere to safety procedures in discharging your duties ” Malam Shehu said.
The Regional Coordinator warned that operators would be sanctioned if they fail to adhere to safety regulations set by the Authority.
In a presentation, a staff of the Zonal office Mr Abdullahi Abdulmumin said between 2018 to 2022 , a total of 244 fire incidences was recorded in various retail outlets resulting in 412 fatalities across the country.
He advised marketers and operators to ensure that every station have earthing cables and fire extinguishers to control fire disaster.
National Vice Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association IPMAN , Alhaji Zarma Mustapha commended Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for organizing the forum, assuring members will abide by the rules and regulations of the organisation.
The stakeholders meeting was attended by members of IPMAN, National Association of Road Transport Owners NARTO and Petroleum Tanker Drivers.
Cov/Dauda Iliya
