By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulation Authority (NMDPRA) has engaged stakeholders in the oil distribution system in a bid to come up with safety measures to prevent the increasing fire accidents occurring across the country.
This comes after constant fire outbreaks destroyed three major markets and goods worth billions of naira, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital .
The North-East Coordinator of NMDPRA, Engr Yusuf Shehu, said that the training workshop for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the National Union of Road Transport (NURTW), and other stakeholders was to discuss ways to improve safety in the operations of retail outlets in the North-East.
Shehu stated that areas of non-compliance with safety measures and regulations were identified in the region, hence the need to come together, address them, and improve the level of compliance.
He said that the workshop was also intended to make the stakeholders understand that obeying the law is one thing, but securing investments is very important.
Also, The Head of Health and Safety at NMDPRA, Abdullahi Abdulmumini, said that safety corporations were essential, considering the number of accidents recorded in the country. He pointed out that from 2018 to 2023, the authority recorded 412 fatalities in 244 incidents.
According to him, In 2021, 173 fatalities in 103 incidents were recorded, and this implies an average of one death every four days, while from 2022 till date, 48 fatalities have been recorded in 41 incidents.
He therefore advised the stakeholders to strictly follow the laid down regulations in order to achieve zero incident or at least reduce incidents to the barest minimum.
Dr. Bashir Kafur, the State Coordinator of NMDPRA in Yola, Adamawa State, said that in order to avoid losing huge investments, marketers must set aside at least 10 percent
of their investment to train their staff and for other safety measures.