The Delta State Government has shut down an Offshore Safety Training Centre located at No. 34 Opete road, Otokutu, Delta State for failure to possess the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) licence and accreditation to operate.
The closure of Opeans Nigeria Limited Offshore Safety Training Centre, which trained middle and lower manpower for the maritime, Oil and Gas Industry, followed an unscheduled visit of the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba to the company.
The Oil and Gas Commissioner, who led top officials of the Ministry including the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Puegeren, directed that all activities at the unaccredited training centre should seize forthwith, after officials of the centre failed to produce a valid letter of accreditation or operational licence.
He said the centre’s accreditation, which was supposed to be renewed yearly by the DPR had since expired, stressing that until it was renewed the centre should remain closed.
Prince Amgbaduba noted that the Ministry placed high premium on safety and would not compromise standard on its periodic checks on firms that specialized in the training of manpower for the Oil and Gas industry.
The Oil and Gas Commissioner said the visit was not to witch hunt any firm, but to ensure that due process was followed and the necessary accreditation and licences obtained before the commencement of training in order to promote safety and standard in the Industry.
Prince Amgbaduba maintained that the Ministry was complementing the efforts of the DPR and directed the Director of the firm to report to the Ministry in Asaba on Monday with proof of claims of having valid operational licence and accreditation.
Officials of the firm could not produce their DPR licence and accreditation letter for the center, as well as other relevant international certifications as required by the DPR Guideline and Procedure for Travel To Offshore/Swamp Location and Obtainment of Offshore Safety Permit, claiming that the documentations were with the Director who was not on seat at the time of the unscheduled visit .
The Commissioner and his team were also at Lym Consults Nigeria Limited’s Offshore Safety Training Center, at Km 10, Sapele-Warri expressway, Otomewo Community near Warri, where hecommended the firm for satisfying all the requirements of the DPR and other certification organizations.
Prince Amgbaduba emphasised that the Ministry would not allow any firm without the appropriate licence and accreditation to operate in any part of the state, and warned that any firm found wanting would face severe sanctions.
The Oil and Gas Commissioner said quacks cannot be allowed to train manpower for the Oil and Gas Industry which is the nation’s mainstay and charged the company to adhere strictly to all COVID-19 protocols in its operations.
The Chief Executive Officer, Lym Consults Nigeria Limited, Mr Larry Otu commended the Commissioner for the visit, saying that it showed government’s commitment to ensuring safety of lives and property in the Oil and Gas Industry
He added that it had valid DPR license, DPR accreditation and OPITO accreditations for all courses being offered, stating further that OPITO accreditation for courses like the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Trainings (BOSIET) and others, was a mandatory requirement of the DPR.
Mr Otu who took the Commissioner and his team on a guided tour of the firm’s facilities, promised to train five officials of the Ministry which Prince Amgbaduba applauded saying that government was willing to partner such organisations.
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