FG shuts down firm over illegal offshore operations

Federal Government on Monday closed down Scorpion Oil Services for carrying out offshore operations without approval and also violating the provisions of the factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018.

The company was also closed for non-compliance with the diving regulations.

According to a statement on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Director of Factories of the Federation, Lauretta Adogu and the Chief Inspector of Diving, Julius Ugwala, disclosed that the monitoring exercise was to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018.

The statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, was titled ‘FG shuts down Scorpion Oil Services for irregular diving operations offshore’

Adogu said the diving operations carried out by the contractor of Scorpion Oil posed a huge threat to divers because they were using inappropriate equipment and unqualified personnel.

Also, the firm allegedly disregarded the Local Content law with its operations fully dominated by foreigners.

The statement read in part, “The operators did not comply with the Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018. The Regulations stipulate that before any diving operation commences within the Nigerian territorial waters, there must be authorization approval issued by the Director of Factories of the Federation.

“Additionally, the Local Content law says Nigerians should be considered first for such operations, but the operators did not meet that requirement, as the place was filled with expatriates.

“Diving operations must get authorization approval before commencement, and this company has not requested any approval and does not have one.

“The company is being closed for non-compliance to these, and work here has been prohibited.”