The Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Charles Ofoegbu, has called for the establishment of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) departments across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to improve workplace safety and protect public servants in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Professor Ofoegbu made the call while receiving members of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE), a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Anambra State Chapter, at his office in the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka.
The commissioner disclosed that the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has already commenced plans to establish a dedicated Health, Safety and Environment Department to coordinate safety and environmental compliance within the ministry.
He expressed concern over increasing safety risks arising from oil spills, illegal bunkering, vandalised pipelines and the operations of filling stations, noting that although these issues fall under the ministry’s policy responsibilities, there is currently no specialised department to effectively manage them.
Professor Ofoegbu stressed that establishing HSE departments across government institutions would strengthen safety standards, improve regulatory compliance and enhance environmental protection.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers, Anambra State Chapter, Engineer Bertram Nwajagu, said the institution was established to promote safety through sound engineering practices, including design, construction, installation, operations, maintenance and professional training.
He stated that the organisation is committed to building a strong safety culture across Anambra State and sought collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to improve safety standards within the oil and gas sector.
Engineer Nwajagu noted that closer collaboration between the institution and the ministry would help prevent avoidable accidents, safeguard lives and property, and promote sustainable development in the state.
