22 November 2013, Abuja – The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of uninterrupted fuel supply during the forthcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Corporation, Engr. Andrew Yakubu who gave the assurance at the 2013 Health and Safety Environment, HSE, week, said the NNPC was prepared in terms of fuel supply throughout the period of yuletide.
According to him, “we are very prepared, we have more than enough supply of stock, as we speak, we have more than over 35 day stock and between now and Christmas, if we do not produce at all, we are quite sure we have enough to go round the country”.
Engr Yakubu, who also launched the newly acquired Rosenbauer P56 Fire and Rescue Equipment acquired by the Corporation said that it has become necessary for the corporation to imbibe the culture of safety in work place and even at home more-so that the corporation is operating in a very sophisticated environment and industry
In his keynote address, the Group Head, Safety of the corporation, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman said that the primary aim of the HSE week was to bring into the memories of both the staff of the corporation and the entire public the need to imbibe the culture of safety in and around their various places of work and homes as well.
He explained that the NNPC culture of safe guarding the environment and human assets has a primary target of sustaining the existence of the human race with a backup strength and healthy living conditions.
According to him, “current industry trends confirm that HSE compliance is increasingly gaining recognition worldwide. It has become a powerful tool and major driver towards business sustainability, higher productivity, risk mitigation and control, as well as hazard minimization that will apparently promote sustainable development for further generation.”
Speaking also, the Group Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Engr Bayo Ibirogba expressed fear over the continuous use of firewood as the only option for cooking, which according to him, had contributed to the high level of death among the exposed adults. He added that if not properly checkmated will do more harm than good.
According to him, ,”the population of Africa is currently estimated at about a billion and its expected to double by 2040. Note, this will amount to disaster when over 70 percent of its population still rely solely on the use of firewood for cooking.
Ibirogba advocated for a minimal discouragement and departure from the conventional use of kerosene, firewood as they have a clear negative impact on the lives of an average Nigeria adult.
– Vanguard
