TheCable

The National Fire Protection Association West Africa (NFPAWA) has scheduled its conference for May 9 and May 14, 2017.

Femi Young, chairman of the organising committee, who disclosed this, said there would be focus on the oil and gas industry.

He also spoke on the need for improved health and safety measures to mitigate risks in the sector.

Moshood Dolapo, a top health and safety practitioner with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said risk mitigation assures intending investors in the oil sector of the environment sustainability.

He said this is especially important as Nigeria is a monocultural economy with oil and gas contributing more than 70% of the national GDP.

“Nigeria essentially depends on oil and gas for her survival. We are still struggling, without much to show, to generate revenue from other sources,” he said.

“That Nigeria is afloat therefore indicates incontrovertibly that the oil and gas industry is doing very well albeit there is plenty of room for improvement.

“Based on this, investors show interest more in companies with good HSE performance record. Moreover, there will be peaceful labour relations and optimum assets performance. All these in the long run boost productivity which in turn enhances stability in the sector.

“What with the carnage in the transport sector, the building collapse incidents and attendant fatalities in the construction sector, ravaging epidemics in the health sector etc. The oil and gas industry remains the most aware and safest and it is the lead advocate for safety in Nigeria.”

Dolapo also pointed out that the oil and gas industry was about the only industry where the HSE performance record “is considered a fatal flaw in consideration of business relationship.”