DPR unveils search, rescue, command centre

DPR unveils search, rescue, command centre

Chinazor Megbolu

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has unveiled the Oil and Gas Search, Rescue and Surveillance (SeRAS) Command and Control Centre in Lagos.

The DPR, during the launch on Monday, said the centre is to improve safety and operational efficiency across the oil and gas industry.

The Director, DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, in his address, noted the initiative was being implemented in collaboration with Omni-Blu Aviation Services Limited in a bid to boost safety and revenue generation.

He further explained that they were critical to operations in the industry, buttressing that this necessitated the establishment of the National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC), which was recently launched 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.

“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.

”The director 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 said.

The DPR chief executive, however, posited that reducing the risk of operations in the oil and gas sector would attract more investors as well as enhance the nation’s economic growth and development.

According to the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Nigeria, Mr. Akin Olateru; “search and rescue is a big deal.

“It saves lives and property and enhances productivity which should be taken seriously by any nation”.

In his contribution, the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd), in his presentation, stated that continued partnership between DPR and the agency was critical to enhance safety.

Represented by the Acting Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, Muhammed said SeRAS would complement the efforts of NEMA in disaster management and reduction in the oil and gas sector.