G4S has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to safe driving practices in Iraq by Basrah Gas Company, after reaching a key milestone with no major incidents.Over the past three and a half years, G4S has provided mobile security and safe transport every day for hundreds of clients employed on the BGC Project, the largest gas project ever undertaken in Iraq. Over the project, the company has carried more than 300,000 clients safely.
G4S has driven BGC employees an astounding 15,000,000 km – the equivalent of 19 return journeys to the moon – with no major incidents. The record shows the dedication of staff and high quality of training, Duncan Martin-Smith, G4S Iraq Operations Director, said. “Each G4S employee is put through intensive security, road safety and defensive driving training to ensure the safety and satisfaction of our clients.”
“We transport over 10,000 clients every month, using a fleet of 154 armoured vehicles. Our number one priority is the safety and security of our clients, their assets, our own employees and the communities living around them.” G4S has provided mobile security services for BGC, a joint venture between Iraq’s South Gas Company (SGC), Shell, and Mitsubishi Corporation, since January 2016.
Basrah Province produces enough gas to create electricity for more than eleven million homes. Much of this is produced with oil but unfortunately most of this gas is wasted. It is currently flared rather than captured. Basrah Province’s existing natural gas infrastructure is in urgent need of rehabilitation after 30 years of sanctions and conflict.
Over the course of the contract so far, the G4S BGC Project team has carried out 27,000 journeys. On average, the G4S teams transport up to 400 BGC employees a day across an 8000 square kilometre area, often in extremely difficult conditions with temperatures over 50OC in summer.
The major safety threat is the road network, with road traffic accidents posing the biggest risk. Despite fewer people owning cars, drivers are, according to the World Health Organization, more than six times more likely to die in Iraq than the UK. BGC requires stringent international standards and, as such, safety and compliance has remained a top focus area. “The success of such a high-profile venture is the result of a close and open working relationship with the customer; having a mutual understanding and a desire to deliver a highly professional service,” Martin-Smith said.
