The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited for attaining a major safety milestone in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The NNPC/FIRST E&P Joint Venture (JV) recorded an exceptional 10 million man-hours without a Lost Time Incident (LTI) across its operations on Petroleum Mining Licenses (PMLs) 53 and 54, a feat widely recognized as a benchmark in health and safety compliance within high-risk industrial environments.
The achievement was celebrated at a special dinner and award presentation ceremony in Lagos, bringing together stakeholders from across the industry, including government representatives, contractors, service providers, and employees. The event served as a platform to recognize the JV’s workforce for their commitment to safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible operations.
In a statement issued by the Ministry, Senator Lokpobiri praised the Joint Venture for its exemplary performance, describing the milestone as a model for operational safety in the Nigerian energy industry.
“Achieving 10 million man-hours without a single Lost Time Incident is not just impressive—it is a powerful statement about leadership, discipline, and a strong safety culture. This sets a standard that others in the industry should strive to meet,” the Minister noted.
He added that the achievement aligns with the Federal Government’s broader push for operational excellence and sustainable development in the oil and gas industry, noting that a safe work environment enhances productivity, boosts investor confidence, and protects both human lives and national assets.
Representatives of the NNPC/FIRST E&P JV also spoke at the event, crediting the milestone to a strong HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) culture, strict adherence to global safety standards, and the active involvement of all employees and partners.
“This accomplishment was made possible by a shared commitment to doing things the right way—safely, responsibly, and consistently,” a senior JV official stated. “It reflects the mindset that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s at the heart of everything we do.”
The milestone spans a broad range of upstream operations—exploration, drilling, production, logistics, and maintenance—demonstrating the JV’s ability to manage complex activities while minimizing risk.
Awards were presented to outstanding individuals and partner companies who played a key role in maintaining this record, in recognition of their unwavering dedication to safety protocols and incident prevention.
The NNPC/FIRST E&P JV continues to strengthen its reputation as a responsible operator in Nigeria’s upstream oil sector, integrating global best practices in HSE and supporting the country’s long-term energy goals through innovation, local content development, and environmental stewardship.
This latest milestone reinforces the JV’s position as a leading example of how strategic partnerships and a commitment to safety can deliver exceptional results while protecting lives and driving sustainable growth.
