Nineteen oil workers were rescued on Thursday during a fire incident at an oil rig in Delta State.
A drilling platform owned by Britania U, an indigenous oil exploration and production firm, caught fire on Thursday, 10.77 nautical miles south of the Forcadoes Terminal in Delta State.
The incident was confirmed through a statement issued by the Head, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Osagie Edward, on Friday.
The statement says NIMASA officials at the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (RMRCC) in Lagos received distress signals from the Ajakpa Field (OML 90) drilling platform.
The statement says the prompt response of the rescue team led to the successful rescue of all 19 crew members on board.
“The agency collaborated with other responding agencies and first responders to ensure the safe rescue and evacuation of the crew and other exposed persons during the incident,” NIMASA said.
NIMASA said its Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, had set up an incident command centre in the office of the agency’s Executive Director Operations to prepare an effective situation-based response plan against oil spillage or other incidents that could affectd the marine environment and safety of navigation as a result of the incident.
“Furthermore, in line with its mandate under the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, the agency’s Marine Accident Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the direct and remote causes of this unfortunate mishap,” the statement said.
NIMASA promised that the outcome of t investigation would be published and recommendations implemented.
The impact of fire incidents on Nigerian oil rigs is profound and multifaceted:
Analysts say several factors contribute to the frequency and severity of fire incidents on Nigerian oil rigs.
They include technical failures, operational errors, sabotage vandalism and environmental conditions.
In 2008, one of the most notable fire incidents occurred at Shell’s Bonga oil field, located offshore in the Gulf of Guinea.
A fire broke out on the platform due to an oil spill caused by a pipeline leak. The fire, exacerbated by high winds and rough sea conditions, led to the suspension of operations and significant environmental damage.
In February 2012, a fire erupted on Chevron’s Escravos oil platform, one of the largest in Nigeria.
The fire was triggered by a gas leak and was compounded by operational issues and safety lapses.
The incident resulted in the loss of lives, extensive damage to the rig, and a prolonged shutdown of production.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character walked out NIMASA’s Director of Administration and Human Resources, Isichie Osamgbi from its public hearing on lopsided employment practices within the agency.
Osamgbi represented NIMASA’s Director General’s public hearing concerning the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Mobereola had been expected to address the concerns raised about NIMASA’s employment practices but he did not show up.
The committee Chairman Ahmed Wase said Mobereola’s absence demonstrated a lack of respect for the legislative process and the lawmakers involved.
Osamgbi, in his defence, requested that the committee accept his representation, citing that Mobereola was engaged in a national assignment, which was the reason for his absence.
Osamgbi assured the committee that Mobereola was willing to appear at the next scheduled date. Despite this, the committee remained firm on its decision.
The lawmakers insisted that Mobereola’s direct involvement was crucial, emphasizing that only he could adequately address the complex issues and questions related to the alleged lopsided employment practices in the agency.
The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character is tasked with ensuring that federal appointments and employment practices across various government agencies adhere to principles of fairness and equity.
NIMASA, a key agency responsible for regulating maritime activities and ensuring safety at sea, plays a vital role in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
