Vivo Energy Botswana, the company that distributes and markets Shell products and services in the country, has successfully conducted a large-scale emergency response simulation designed to test the company’s preparedness, coordination and ability to respond effectively to a major fuel transportation incident, reinforcing its commitment to safety, operational excellence and business continuity.
The exercise simulated a road traffic accident involving two fuel tankers on Haile Selassie Road in Gaborone, resulting in a significant fuel spillage and a secondary collision involving a third-party vehicle. The scenario was designed to replicate a complex emergency requiring rapid decision-making, effective communication and coordinated action to protect lives, property and the environment.
It was conducted in collaboration with Botswana Oil Limited and Puma Energy, with participation from the Botswana Police Service, Fire Department, Ambulance Services and relevant district authorities. The simulation tested Vivo Energy Botswana’s emergency response procedures, incident management systems and communication protocols while providing an opportunity to assess how effectively teams respond under pressure.
It also evaluated coordination with emergency response agencies and identified opportunities to further strengthen operational readiness. Vivo Energy Botswana Managing Director Sesupo Wagamang said the exercise reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards across its operations.
“Safety is our number one priority. Conducting exercises of this nature allows us to rigorously test our emergency response capabilities, strengthen coordination with key stakeholders and ensure that we are fully prepared to respond effectively should a real incident occur.” Wagamang said emergency preparedness is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and collaboration.
“Preparedness cannot be achieved through planning alone. Regular simulations enable us to validate our emergency procedures, identify areas for improvement and ensure our people have the skills and confidence to respond quickly and effectively.”
The exercise also enabled participating teams to review existing emergency response plans, assess communication systems and reinforce coordination mechanisms with emergency services, ensuring a faster and more effective response to potential future incidents.
According to Wagamang, the learnings from the simulation will be used to further enhance Vivo Energy Botswana’s emergency management systems and operational resilience. “Every exercise presents valuable lessons. We will carefully evaluate today’s observations and incorporate them into our continuous improvement programme as we remain committed to protecting our employees, customers, communities and the environment.”
The simulation forms part of Vivo Energy Botswana’s ongoing programme of emergency preparedness exercises aimed at ensuring the company remains ready to respond to complex
operational incidents while maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and environmental stewardship.
