NMDPRA begins health, safety, environment policy compliance monitoring of activities in oil, gas sector

Oredola Adeola

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has revealed the plan to conduct regular Health, Safety, and Environment(HSE) policy compliance monitoring across the country in order to ensure that the activities of operators in the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum industry are carried out in an environmentally acceptable and sustainable manner.

Eng. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive made this known in a statement released as part of week-long series of activities  marking the NMDPRA’s Health, Safety, Environment and Community Week.

The statement was a follow up to the unveiling of NMDPRA’s HSE policy designed to ensure that all activities in the midstream and downstream petroleum industry are carried out in an environmentally acceptable and sustainable manner.

According to NMDPRA focus of the policy is to enhance a culture of safety and health in the industry.
He said, “The NMDPRA is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees. Ensure leadership commitment and support in all its activities to guarantee compliance with HSE best practices.

“Ensure that the work environment is safe and employees are protected. Create and promote awareness for employees and stakeholders on issues relating to HSE through relevant trainings , enlightenment campaigns , conference and workshops.

“Empower employees at all levels to intervene where necessary in any activity that may be unsafe to them and the environment.

“Ensure that its services meet the needs of its internal and external stakeholders and conduct regular compliance monitoring to ensure that the activities of operators in the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum industry have minimal effect on the environment

“Ensure that that all activities in the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum industry comply with the relevant local and international HSE best practices.

“Ensure that all operations are conducted in a manner that will prevent accidents and cases of work related ill-health,” ACE said.

The NMDPRA further noted that the policy is expected to ensure that Nigeria’s carbon footprint is minimal and activities of operators in the sector do not compromise the needs of the future employees.