The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has told companies and oil deposits that the safety compliance guidelines of the agency must always be adhered to.
The DPR futher warned that non-compliance can attract suspension of companies or depots from operating or total withdrawal of its operational licenses.
DPR’s Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Paul Osu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos said these guidelines were important to protect oil facilities from being engulfed by fire and also to ensure standard best practices in the downstream sector.
“All depot owners must have water sprinklers installed at the loading gantry, product pump house and on all storage tanks.
” They must have oil-water separator installed in facility to separate oil and water spill for quality assurance.
“The depot owners and oil facilities must have lightning arrestors with a large radius coverage meters that could cover the facility installed.
“They must have fire extinguishers of various types strategically positioned within the facility operational and administrative areas,” he said.
Osu added that the safety compliance measure stipulates that every depot must-have safety kits and own a functional fire truck, which is mandatory requirements by the agency.
He stressed that from the moment a company applied for approval to construct, during construction, and when it had become fully operational, safety at the depot was the responsibility of the DPR.
“We ensure that all depots are built based on well-reviewed plans that conform with the highest industry safety standards.
”DPR staff is incorporated in the depot project to ensure that it is built according to the approved designs as submitted and vetted by both the DPR and the state’s planning authority
“At completion a joint inspection is conducted to ensure that all safety facilities and equipment are in place.
“The equipment are tested and depot safety staff mobilised and interviewed to make sure that both equipment and personnel are adequate in case of emergency,” Osu added.
To further ensure safety in facilities, Osu added that the DPR usually organises periodic meetings with depot owners and managers in a bid to review their operations as well as exchange ideas.
