The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep concern over the persistent failure to adhere to safety standards in the diving sector, citing the unfortunate loss of six divers in the last two years due to unsafe practices.
Julius Ugwala, the Chief Inspector of Diving at the Federal Ministry of Labour, disclosed this information during a press interaction on the sidelines of the Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners Society of Nigeria’s Annual General Meeting in Port Harcourt. Ugwala emphasized the critical role of safety in diving and highlighted the challenges faced, including a tendency to cut corners that often results in severe consequences.
“I have been an advocate of diving safety for 25 years now. The key issue in Nigeria diving is safety. People like cutting corners, and you know, when you cut corners, there are issues. This has become a real problem in Nigeria today,” said Ugwala.
He revealed that the sector witnessed the loss of four divers the previous year, and an additional two divers recently, all attributed to unsafe practices. Ugwala urged the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to prioritize safety in their operations and ensure equal opportunities for both expatriates and local divers, emphasizing the need to prevent violence.
Addressing the challenges faced by the diving community, Dr. Kayode Ogunleye, President of the Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners Society of Nigeria, called on the federal government to establish special schools for diver training to address manpower needs and certification issues. He stressed that the absence of such institutions in-country has led many divers to seek certification abroad.
Dr. Ogunleye highlighted the significance of divers in the country, describing them as the lifeblood of the nation, responsible for laying pipelines in the oil and gas industry, especially underwater. He urged the government to build capacity, facilitate local training for divers, and empower institutions like the Petroleum Training Institute to establish reputable diving schools within Nigeria.
The Director of Factories of the Federation, Mrs. Lauretta Adogu, represented at the event, noted that the Diving Governing Board has initiated efforts to ensure the safety of diving operations within Nigerian territorial waters through sensitization, compliance monitoring, and enforcement of the provisions of factories regulations 2018.