By Adedapo Adesanya
Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have been urged to key into the federal government’s electronic platform and information technology application to improve operational efficiency.
This appeal was made by the Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr Sarki Auwalu, at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Thursday, January 21 at Ugboroke Community, near Warri, Delta.
Mr Auwalu explained that the platform was rolled out to add value to the stakeholders’ operational activities, and also improve the ease of doing business.
“These electronic tools are being deployed in phases. They are software with multiple interfaces that enables interactions on operations activities among stakeholders.
“This is in accordance with the government’s mantra of improving ease of doing business and digitalisation of processes in all the sectors of the economy.
“I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity by adopting and utilising these tools in your operations for improved efficiency and sustainable development of the sector in accordance with global best practices,” the agency’s chief, who was represented by Mr Bassey Nkanga, the DPR Operations Controller, Port Harcourt Zonal office, stated.
At the event themed Oil and Gas Safe Operations and Compliance: DPR a Business Enabler, the DPR boss further urged the stakeholders to develop a dynamic safety culture to carry out their operations safely.
Mr Auwalu said that safety could be achieved through compliance with the rules and regulations of the regulatory agency.
“Compliance to the rules and regulations will promote safe operations and also maximise your profit. Safety culture cannot be bought, you craft it yourself.
“DPR is committed to engaging all stakeholders to promote a safety culture and continue to comply with the Petroleum Laws, regulations and guidelines in the oil and gas industry,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Antai Asuquo, DPR Operations Controller, Warri Zonal office, said that the meeting was to share ideas with stakeholders in the downstream sector on the way forward.
“We will continue to give you the necessary support to grow your businesses.
“The theme is carefully chosen to ensure that cases of an accident are reduced to the barest minimum in the downstream sector,” Mr Asuquo said.
Also, Mr Amalu Tobechukwu, DPR’s Establishment, Monitoring and Regulations, Department, Warri office, presenting his activities, urged the operators to avoid LPG Cylinder to Cylinder rebottling and decanting.
Mr Tochukwu said that DPR had commenced an online application system to ease the process of filing applications, advising the stakeholders to take advantage of it.
The Divisional Fire Officer, Warri Fire Station, Mr Tamigbe Francis, urged stakeholders to have safety measures such as fire extinguishers in their business premises.
Modupe Gbadeyanka