In a bid to improve safety and operational efficiency in the petroleum industry, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has flagged off the Oil and Gas Search, Rescue and Surveillance (SeRAS) Command and Control Centre in Lagos State.
The DPR Director, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, who flagged off the programme in Lagos on Monday, stated that it was being implemented in collaboration with Omni-Blu Aviation Services Limited to increase safety and revenue generation.
He said that the Search, Rescue and Surveillance were critical to operations in the industry, adding that this necessitated the establishment of the National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC) which was inaugurated recently by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“If it is not safe, it cannot generate revenue, and if the revenue has to be constant, it has to be safe. This is why we have to create an insurance and assurance for all workers across the value chain whether working offshore and onshore, either you are working for exploration and production, marketing or refining.
READ ALSO: Red Line Rail Project: LASUBEB Meets Stakeholders
“The essence of this programme is to guarantee safety of lives while also guaranteeing for any emergency and the same time provide medical services to victim that will be involved in the incident and above all, it creates a cooperative agreement to reduce cost and enhance value for all the stakeholders,” Auwalu said.
He maintained that the vision of the Buhari-led administration and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, was to open up Nigeria for business.
Auwalu added that reducing the risk of operations in the oil and gas sector would attract more investors which would enhance the country’s economic growth and development.
Also speaking, the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Nigeria, Mr Akin Olateru, said Nigeria was a signatory to Annex 12 of the Chicago Convention which requires the setting up of a programme like SeRAS.
“Search and rescue is a big deal. It saves lives and property and enhances productivity which should be taken seriously by any nation,” he said.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Red Line Rail Project: LASUBEB Meets Stakeholders
Lagos Film & Censors Board Calls For Professionalism In Film Industry
Tinubu arrived in Ghana for John Mahama’s inauguration. Tinubu traveled as ECOWAS Chairman with top…
Lagos Assembly approves ₦3.37 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year. ₦2.07 trillion allocated for capital…
Hon. Ogunkelu urged unity and dedication for community progress. He pledged to address constituents' needs…