From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has vowed to sanction petroleum products marketers that fail to observe safety regulations in the South East.
This is as the regulatory body said it was poised to reactivate the Health Safety and Environment (HSE) technical audits in the zone.
NMDPRA South East Regional Coordinator, Stanley Ngene, stated this, yesterday, during a meeting with petroleum products and transportation stakeholders in Enugu.
He said the authority will, henceforth, ensure the purpose for which the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act by the Federal Government was achieved
“NMDPRA has planned to recommence HSE technical audits; of which the outcome will be used in liaison with other directorates, in the issuance of various licenses. The HSE technical audit will evaluate the adequacy of the HSE requirements competency and training of staff engaged by the operators.
“This will no longer be business as usual. It is now safety first, the NMDPRA would ensure the aspirations of the Federal Government by passing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is achieved.
“The law has provided in clear terms that in the case of negligence by any operator, such operator would be sanctioned accordingly.
“Although, our aim is not to sanction the operators but to ensure operations are run in a safe manner to protect people, assets and the environment is the reason for today’s engagement.
“The HSE needs to be a front burner to attract the growth of the business, reduction of insurance premiums and protection of the public and for us to achieve the following, we must reawaken the safety consciousness in our operations,” he said.
Ngene said NMDPRA will always want to engage operators to attune them of the need to fully comply with relevant health and environment laws and regulations as stipulated in the PIA and to forestall the dangers posed by unwholesome practices and non-compliance to statutory safety provisions.