MOMAN to collaborate with fire service, others on safety of all downstream petroleum facilities
The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has reiterated its plans to collaborate with the Federal Fire Service and other relevant stakeholders to ensure safety of all petroleum facilities in the downstream.
Chairman, MOMAN’s Health, Safety Environment and Quality (HSEQ) committee, Mr Gabriel Orupke said this on Wednesday during the quarterly Cluster Joint Safety Drills in Lagos.
He said the collaboration also includes the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Orukpe said that the emergency drill exercise was conducted regularly to ensure the safety of personnel, equipment, and the community around Apapa, which hosts many depots and terminals.
He said that MOMAN had divided the Apapa hub into four clusters for quarterly Cluster Joint Safety Drills.
The Cluster 3, comprising TotalEnergies, HOGL, NRL(OVH), JV, and NPSC LPG depots, all located along Kayode Street, Marine Beach Apapa, conducted a Joint Safety Drill for Q3 at TotalEnergies Terminal 1.
The firefighting equipment was deployed by TotalEnergies, 11 PLC, NIPCO Plc, AITEO NNPC Retail, and NPSC Gas terminals.
Orukpe emphasised the need for collaboration to alleviate congestion on Kayode Street caused by trucks parked in multiple lanes, obstructing road access.
According to him, the plan is to involve all stakeholders in this effort.
He also said that MOMAN was working on securing nearby parking spaces for trucks, implementing a call-up system to load trucks in an orderly fashion and reducing on-road parking.
He said that the objectives of this exercise was to uphold safety regulations at all times, given the highly flammable nature of the oil business, ensure an adequate number of trained personnel and firefighting equipment.
He said also to evacuate congested trucks to allow firefighting vehicles swift access in case of an emergency.
He added that the drill also aims to reassure residents of the community that MOMAN members had the capacity in terms of personnel and equipment, in collaboration with other non-members, to swiftly respond to any emergency situations.
He called for the cooperation of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the local government, and depots in the area in making safety measures an all-inclusive responsibility.
“It is worth noting that there are four clusters around Apapa, and drill exercises are conducted quarterly. Cluster 1, which comprises Apapa Jetty, ASPM, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, NIPCO Plc, and AITEO depots.
“We conducted the Q1 Joint Drill in March 2023. Cluster 2 (CONOIL Plc, Ardova Plc, and NNS Beecroft) is for Q2.
“The one held at TotalEnergies today was the third, with the fourth planned to take place at Mobil Road, Marine Beach before the year ends,” he said.
Orukpe said, “The scenario simulated was a truck collision leading to a spill and fire incident.
“The response time and joint efforts by neighbouring stakeholders with mutual assistance to control the fire and spill were tested,” he added.
The Head of Supply, HSEQ & Technical, MOMAN, Mr Godwin Jarikre and his team who coordinated the event, expressed satisfaction with the participants’ performance as the aim was achieved.
He noted the importance of equipment deployment and workers’ response to the alarm by swift mustering at the assembly point as very critical safety measures in ensuring that no one is left unevacuated during emergencies.
Also, the Southwest Regional Coordinator of NMDPRA, Mr Ayorinde Cardoso who was represented by the Assistant Director, Ibrahim Dimowo, in company with the Head of Storage Infrastructure, Lagos, Mr Oluwakayode Oyegoke, and his team, in his remarks, shared the same view regarding the objectives of the emergency drill.
He said he was impressed by the practical demonstration of equipment and the efficiency and competence of the personnel involved.
He commended MOMAN for organising the exercises and showcasing safety preparedness in its operational environments.
“The Federal Fire Service personnel were impressed and pledged their support whenever their services were needed.”
Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Intelligence at Tego Barracks Apapa, Brig.-Gen. K. N. Nwoko, expressed his displeasure with trucks indiscriminately parked along the road, given the area’s sensitivity to potential fire incidents due to the activities.
Nwoko warned that such actions would no longer be tolerated, and his men would impound any trucks found parked on the road.
He emphasised the importance of the many offices and establishments in the area, including the Intelligence School with over 200 students and valuable documents that must be protected from potential fires, especially those caused by the illegal siphoning of petroleum products from trucks parked on the road.
He promised that his men and other security agencies would put an end to such activities.
Relevant government agencies who participated include NMDPRA, Federal Fire Service, NOSDRA, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy (NNS Beecroft), and the police
