By Adolf Kaure
Over 100 delegates gathered in Swakopmund for the inaugural Erongo Offshore Safety Conference on Thursday, 1 May, organised by the Namibia Association for Offshore Gas Service Providers (NAOGSP).
The conference promotes operational safety in Namibia’s offshore oil and gas industry.
During his keynote address, the Erongo regional governor, Neville Andre-Itope said that health,
safety and environmental (HSE) procedures must be enforced across the oil and gas sector.
“The pursuit of local content will not be at the expense of quality, health, safety, labour and environmental standards. This is why we gather here today to dissect the safety ecosystem from the Petroleum Act 1991 and the human spirit that fills this industry. And to forge a future where risk is managed and mastered,” said Itope.
His remarks come as the nation awaits Namibia’s gas policy’s tabling and subsequent implementation.
According to him, five pillars are essential to building a safer future in the sector, with the first being: “regulatory compliance and enforcement”.
“The Namibia’s Petroleum Exploration and Production Act of 1991 is our north star. It mandates PIPs, enforces commission accountability under section 71 and ensures financial safeguards.
“Laws are only as good as their enforcement. All stakeholders have close cooperation with the
ministry of industries, mines and energy, educational institutions such as NIMT and global partners like the international labour organisations to ensure that no shortcuts undermine safety,” he said.
The second pillar is “technology and innovation”.
“Drones, Artificial Intelligence and real time data analytics are not just gadgets, but they are
guidance. They predict hazards, prevent errors and protect lives. To every operator here, invest in
technology that does not just meet the standards but also sets the standard,” said Itope.
The three pillars are the human factor in training (pillar three), environmental stewardship (pillar four), and communication and collaboration (pillar five).
“Safety is a team sport. Engage coastal communities, listen to their wisdom, and ensure transparency. Therefore, their vigilance is our early warning system. Therefore, we also encourage that we continue to engage our communities so that when we talk about safety, they are also considered in our operations,” said Itope.
Furthermore, the regional governor urged local academia to take the lead in solving safety concerns in the sector.
“I also urge academia from vocational training institutions and universities to pioneer Africa’s
solution to Africa’s challenges – affordable technology in localised training. It must come from our people to bring solutions to our challenges.”
“I urge every worker to be a safety ambassador. Your voice is your power, and you must use it.
This is our moment – let us build an industry where there is zero harm. We must ensure that they return home safely, every single day,” said the regional governor,” he said.
Erongo Offshore Safety Conference Chief Strategist and founder of NAOGSP, Knowledge Ipinge, proposed the establishment of an independent offshore safety regulator to uphold safety standards without bias and influence from corporate interests.
“The proposed safety regulator should strictly adhere to safety protocol and maintain and inspect. These measures are not optional but are non-negotiable for safeguarding the lives of those who contribute to our economy,” said Ipinge.
He also said that a welfare programme that supports mental health, financial assistance and family
care workers in the oil and gas sector.
“Workers in the oil and gas field option endure prolonged periods away from their families, living in isolated conditions.”
“It is our responsibility to ensure that those labouring in critical sectors do not suffer in silence.”
“I firmly believe that to enhance the well-being of our people and enable them to live dignified lives, we need to build a diversified economy where oil and gas funds, education and healthcare can address historical marginalisation and put safety at the forefront of all operations in the oil and gas industry,” he added.
With international speakers from as far as Ghana and Brazil, the two-day workshop provided an
opportunity for the delegates to engage in robust discussion and presentations of case studies
focused on responses to incidences, key regulatory processes and lessons learned.
