DPR Unveil Project To Address Gas Explosions 

Yemisi Izuora

The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has unveiled a safety programme called Minimum Industry Safety Training for Downstream Operations (MISTDO) to address the challenges of gas explosion, petrol-laden truck accidents, and other incidences in the downstream industry.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos yesterday  the Director/CEO of DPR, Engr. Sarki Auwalu, explained  that MISTDO is a program designed by the to deepen safety training in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Engr. Auwalu directed that effective 1st September 2020, the Department shall commence enforcement of MISTDO for all Downstream Operations and facilities including LPG stations, Retail Outlets, Petroleum Product Depots, Jetties, Lube Plants, Industrial Gas Users and Petroleum Truck Drivers and Motor boys in Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Rivers, Imo, Enugu, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Nasarawa and Gombe.

“This implies that no personnel  shall be permitted to engage in downstream operations without MISTDO training at facilities located in these states.

“Effective 1^st January 2021, compliance shall be extended nationwide. In addition, effective 1^st January 2021, the staff training requirements for every downstream facility operations license or Permit (New or Renewal) shall be based on MISTDO,” he said.

The growth of Nigeria’s downstream sector has resulted in increase of incidents leading to loss of lives, damage to properties and environmental pollution.

He said some of the incidents have come from fallen tankers, petrol station fires, gas explosion and vandalism.

“Our records show that 70 per cent of accidents in the Nigerian oil and gas industry between 2013 and 2019 occurred in the downstream sector. To reverse this trend, the Department has put in place enhanced regulatory strategies for downstream facilities’ development and operations monitoring targeted at the People, the Process and the Equipment,” he said.

He said mandatory training requirements for Downstream Operations is not new as this is one of the requirements for license to operate a downstream facility.

The implementation of MISTDO program is based on relevant Petroleum Laws and Regulations.

MISTDO program mandates all Downstream workers to undergo safety trainings at any DPR approved and published safety training provider of their choice in accordance with their job rolesand the likely hazards they will encounter at work.

He argued that MISTDO will increase awareness in safety and risks associated with operations in the sector; improve knowledge and general competence level in the sector; standardize basic safety training requirements for personnel across the sector; serve as a guide for prospective trainees in basic safety; and provide a platform to effectively monitor and regulate basic safety training activities in the sector.