Ofoegbu Advocates Health, Safety and Environment Departments Across MDAs

By Ebele Ezeh

The Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Charles Ofoegbu, has called for the establishment of Health, Safety and Environment departments across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to strengthen workplace safety and protect personnel in the discharge of their duties.

Professor Ofoegbu made the call while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers, a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Anambra State Chapter, in his office at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka.

He disclosed that plans are already underway to establish a Health, Safety and Environment Department in the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

The Commissioner expressed concern over increasing safety challenges associated with oil spillage, illegal bunkering, damaged pipelines and the operations of filling stations.

He explained that these issues fall within the policy responsibilities of the ministry but noted that there is currently no dedicated department to coordinate safety and environmental compliance, making its establishment necessary.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers, Anambra State Chapter, Engineer Bertram Nwajagu, said the association, established in 2017, is committed to promoting safety through sound engineering design, construction, fabrication, installation, operations, maintenance, training and best engineering practices.

Engineer Nwajagu stated that the institution’s vision is to build a strong safety culture among Ndi Anambra and sought collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to improve safety standards in the oil and gas sector.

He noted that the partnership would help prevent avoidable losses, protect lives and property, and promote sustainable development across the state.