Major Oil Marketers laud OVH, government agencies on rapid response to Apapa petrol fire * Insists on full deregulation of petroleum down stream sector as way forward

Major Oil Marketers laud OVH, government agencies on rapid response to Apapa petrol fire

Insists on full deregulation of petroleum down stream sector as way forward

By Udeme Clement :

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr Clement Isong, has commended OVH Marketing Limited, Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, United Bank for Africa, National Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, NNPC, NIPCO Plc, NAPIMS, Folawiyo Energy Ltd, the
Nigerian Army, Navy, Police Force, MOMAN and other agencies on their rapid response in controlling the fire out break at OVH petrol tank farm in Apapa, Lagos.

The MOMAN CEO also acknowledged tremendous efforts made by stakeholders in the petroleum industry in contributing many fire trucks, fire fighting equipment, chemicals, fire fighting foam and other fire fighting resources including expertise and man-power to put off the fire.

Speaking further, Mr Clement Isong, stressed that full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector will enhance operations of oil marketers, improve their margins in the business, in order to stimulate greater growth in the sector.

His explanation :
“On November 5, 2020, at about 12:15pm, there was fire out break at OVH Marketing Limited PMS tank at
its depot in Apapa.
The fire was contained and didn’t spread further than the initial tank.
As at the time of putting out this statement, the fire had been totally extinguished with no fatality recorded.

“Immediately the fire incident was reported, OVH Marketing Limited, a founding member of
MOMAN initiated its emergency response plan and activated the joint emergency response plan engaging MOMAN members with
facilities in Apapa to
assist the depot in containing, controlling and extinguishing the fire.”

He went on, “The Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire Service and other agencies were also invited inline with the Emergency Response Plan and were on hand to support the
combined efforts in combating the fire. Many fire trucks, equipment, chemicals, fire fighting foam and other fire fighting resources including expertise and man-power were also given to put off the fire.

“As stated above, quick implementation of the previously conceived and well-rehearsed Emergency Response Plan and
combined efforts of all those mentioned above achieved the result in these
circumstances.

“The fire did not spread to any other tank within the OVH premises and certainly did not spread to any other
facility out side OVH.

“The MOMAN Apapa Operations and Logistics Committee made up of experts and consultants from member companies continuously and collectively review and update the joint Apapa Emergency Response
Plan, sharing best practices and conducting joint emergency drills, rehearsing different scenarios to keep the emergency response teams and neighbouring emergency response agencies ready to combat this type of eventuality.
“These committees will work with OVH Energy Marketing Ltd specialists, safety teams and the authorities to carry out  detailed investigation to identify the immediate and remote causes of the fire and share learnings with all stakeholders.

“MOMAN in collaboration with PPMC have taken steps to ensure continuous supply of product to Lagos, its environs and across the Country.

“We wish to assure members of the public that there shall be no product supply disruption because of
this event.”

He emphasised, “One of the major reasons MOMAN advocates for deregulation of the petroleum down stream sector is to ensure
adequate margins to finance depot safety up-grades.

“Nonetheless, MOMAN as an Association insists on internationally
accepted safety standards and best practices in its self-regulation drive and
installations to meet these standards.
MOMAN members therefore continue to invest and upgrade safe practices, fire fighting and other equipment to meet the country and these jointly set standards.

“MOMAN shall continue to collectively
self-regulate within its membership with a view to ensuring continuous up-grade and update of safety equipment standards. MOMAN remains committed to sustainability of a viable downstream petroleum industry for the
social and economic growth of our Country, Nigeria.”