Prioritise safety, Ogun NMDPRA boss urges oil, gas operators

The Ogun State Coordinator of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Dr Atilola Akinyemi and other participants at the engagement with stakeholders in oil and gas on the need to prioritize safety during the festive season and beyond.

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The Ogun State Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Atilola Akinyemi, on Thursday, urged oil and gas operators to adhere to international best practices and prioritise safety, especially during the Yuletide season when demand for petroleum products typically increases.

Akinyemi made the call in Abeokuta during a one-day stakeholder engagement themed, “Impatience in Petroleum Supply and Distribution Operations: Assessing the Risks and Dangers Ahead of the Festive Season.”

The NMDPRA coordinator noted that the end-of-year period, characterised by heightened commercial activities, often comes with peculiar challenges such as the rush to meet delivery targets, pressure from customers, long queues, panic buying and unsafe storage of products.

He said these pressures frequently result in unsafe practices, accidents, product losses and, in some cases, fatalities.

Akinyemi stressed that it had become imperative for stakeholders to pause and reflect on the dangers of impatience in petroleum supply and distribution operations.

He said, “Today’s engagement is designed to sensitise and remind all stakeholders — marketers, tanker drivers, LPG dealers, depot operators and security agencies — of the need to exercise restraint, maintain discipline and prioritise safety above profit or speed.”

According to him, the forum was necessary to hold frank conversations on the end-of-year rush and identify ways to contain the pressures to ensure that public safety is not compromised.

The state coordinator also cautioned tanker drivers — whether transporting loaded or empty trucks — to avoid reckless driving and comply with road safety regulations to avert preventable accidents.

He warned against panic buying and unsafe storage of petroleum products, saying such actions not only distort supply but also endanger lives and property.

Akinyemi further criticised unsafe handling practices motivated by profit, noting their potential impact on people, infrastructure and the environment.

“At the NMDPRA, our message remains consistent: safety and compliance are shared responsibilities.

“The Authority is not out to impose penalties but to ensure 100 per cent compliance and zero accidents across all operations. We believe that collective vigilance and patience can make this season accident-free in Ogun State and beyond.

“As we deliberate today, let us remember our key message — ‘Let’s slow down and act safely. Impatience can cost lives, the environment and investment.’ Together, we can make this festive season safe, smooth and accident-free for all,” he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director of the Ogun State Fire Service, Adebambo Adesanya, emphasised the need for tanker drivers to exercise caution on the road and adhere to speed limits.

He advised drivers to avoid drugs and alcohol, warning that driving under the influence compromises safety.

Adesanya lamented that many truck owners neglect to provide essential safety tools such as fire extinguishers, which could prove useful during emergencies, and urged stakeholders to prioritise investment in safety.

Speaking on behalf of oil and gas stakeholders, the Lagos State Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Adebayo Badekale, commended the NMDPRA for its proactiveness and consistent support to operators.

He described the sensitisation as a timely reminder for all stakeholders to work together to ensure a safe festive season.

Safety in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains a major concern, with the industry grappling with frequent tanker accidents, vandalism and oil theft, ageing infrastructure and inconsistent compliance with safety standards across various operational segments.

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