Boko Haram:FG asks fuel depots to deploy bomb detectors, CCTV

The Federal Government has stipulated new security measures for operators of fuel depots across the country, just as the military is stepping up its onslaught against Boko Haram insurgents in parts the north-east.

To this end , the Deprtment of Petroleum Resources (DPR) acting on behalf of government, has directed that fuel depot owners should henceforth provide and deploy surveillance equipment as well as bomb detectors and trained security staff in their installations.

DPR issued the directive at a recent meeting with depot owners.The agency said current security measures at many fuel depots across the country focussed mainly on theft prevention and needed to be stepped up, in view of the prevailing insecurity, including the Boko Haram insurgency.

Oliver Okparaojiako, who is the head of downstream in the DPR, said taking  cognisance of the present challenges  in the country, depots are strongly advised  to reinforce access control of both vehicular and human  traffic  into their facilities.

Okparaojiako  added, “Enhanced screening through use of electronic gadgets has been recommended at all depots. There is need for enhanced control of trucks in and around the depot for safety”.

The regulatory agency said that depot owners should provide trained security personnel that could be proactive in dealing with security threats. It stated further that the Close Circuit Television  located  in the depots do not cover the access roads around them, and advised that  this needs to be applied in such a way as to cover a much wider area.

It has also advised that all trucks entering the depots should do so without truck boys, in order to minimise security risks.

Reiterating the seriousness that government attaches to security at the  depots, Chioma Njoku, Zonal operations controller of the agency said: “The  Federal , states and local governments have continued to sensitise all Nigerians to be  security conscious. The recent incident at one of the product depots and another close to a gas depot should be a wake up call for all depot operators to set up security processes and procedures within their areas of operations, and perhaps synergise with one another as they are located in close  cluster”.

Njoku warned the depot operators not supply substandard products as the government would tolerate that from any of them.

The Zonal operation Controller who presided over the meeting with depot owners  urged importers of petroleum products to ensure that products imported into the country always meet  approved specifications.

Olusola Bello