The American Petroleum Institute (API) has denied granting any certification or approval to Opeans Nigeria Limited for conducting the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET).
Opeans Nigeria Limited, a training provider with centers in Port Harcourt and Warri, had previously claimed to have received API certification, which caused excitement among its Executive Director, Ben Nwoye, and the company’s stakeholders.
However, API has set the record straight, asserting that it has not accredited or approved any trainings conducted by Opeans Nigeria Limited.
As a leading standard-setting organization in the oil and gas industry, API aims to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the sector within the United States of America.
This denial by API came to light during a lawsuit (HOR/9/2023) filed at the Delta State High Court against Opeans Nigeria Limited, API, Veriforce Limited Liability Company, and the Attorney-General of Delta State.
API’s legal team, from Banwo & Ighodalo law firm, made it clear that Opeans Nigeria Limited has no affiliation with API and that the BOSIET certificates being issued by Opeans Nigeria Limited are not approved or accredited by the Institute.
Furthermore, API refuted the claims made by Opeans Nigeria Limited in various newspapers regarding their supposed API certification.
The lawsuit also shed light on the alleged issuance of fake and forged BOSIET certificates by Opeans Nigeria Limited, claiming accreditation and approval by API and Veriforce.
Industry experts, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted that Opeans Nigeria Limited’s practice of awarding fraudulent BOSIET certificates is not a new phenomenon.
They further revealed that oil companies are aware of the lack of accreditation from API or any relevant institution for Opeans Nigeria Limited.
However, they alleged that regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had been enabling and covering up such fraudulent activities, thereby endangering the lives of personnel in the industry.
The Delta State High Court has duly acknowledged and accepted all the relevant legal documents, with a ruling on the interlocutory application slated for October 10th, 2023.
