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Ogoni Clean Up 80% to Finishing – NOSDRA

The Ogoni kingdom has achieved 80 percent of operation in the clean up process, says NOSDRA.

The Director General of National Oil Spill Detection And Response Agency, Mr. Idris Olubola Musa made this known on Thursday in Abuja at a day workshop, tagged; ” Stakeholder Engagement With Oil Companies In Nigeria.”

Speaking on the objective of the workshop Mr. Musa said, the reason behind the workshop is to bring to awareness of all industry operations the use of Forms to administer petroleum sectors.

The DG further explained that the Form points out every aspect of oil spill management, saying that there are certain prescribed Forms from, “Form A to D”.

He added that the Forms had been extended to “K”, ” the agency has incorporated a new set of Forms in expansion of the scope of some Forms that reflects reality on ground.

” For instance, some court cases are taken from Nigeria to London or other parts of the world, on this occasion there is always disagreement during the documentation process and it’s not easy for judges handling various cases to profile justices as it should be.

“The agency has to find possible solutions from various Forms, either to agree or to disagree.”

Also in his keynote, Chairman Governing Board of NOSDRA, His Royal Highness, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa, III Emir of Keffi, said as a body representing a diverse range of expertise and experience organization, the aim of the gathering is to show commitment to safeguard the environment to ensure sustainable practices within the oil industry.

Dr. Yamusa further reiterated that oil spills, if continued, will pose a significant threat to the ecosystems, wildlife, and communities.

He said; “They have the potential to cause irreparable or irreversible damage to our fragile ecosystems and disrupt the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on them. Therefore, our responsibility as custodians of the environment becomes even more crucial.

“Today’s event is expected to discuss action plans for management of oil spills in 2023 with emphasis on reviewing regulatory procedures regarding oil spill reporting, the conduct of Joint Investigation Visits (JIV), Clean-up and remediation of oil spill impacted sites: as well as the conduct of Post Spill Impact Assessment (PSIA), Damage Assessment and Ecosystem Restoration.

“The transparent conduct of these processes is very important not just for the integrity and credibility of the regulatory Agency (NOSDRA), but also for sustainable environment management, fair, just and amicable resolution of disputes that may arise therefrom.

“The Vision Statement of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency is “to create, nurture and sustain a zero tolerance for oil spill incidents”. This can only be achieved if players in the industry take measures to ensure prevention of occurrence of oil spill incidents through compliance with extant laws, regulations and guidelines on environmental issues.

“Management in the petroleum industry. Industry operators should also develop and enforce robust safety standards, ensure adherence to best practices and promote commitment to environmental stewardship and self- regulation in their operations.

“The need for oil industry operators to invest in technologies and equipment for the prompt detection and response to oil spills cannot be overemphasized. These include robust surveillance systems, the use of Unmanned Aerial Surveillance Equipment, advanced oil spill modelling and prediction tools, and well-equipped response teams that can mobilize swiftly when the need arises.

“Operators must enhance their preparedness by conducting regular drills and exercises to test their response strategies and identify any gaps. By doing so, you can strengthen your ability to handle oil spill incidents of different magnitudes and minimize their impact on the environment.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the management of oil spills demands a multifaceted approach. By focusing on prevention, enhancing response capabilities, and fostering stakeholder engagement, we can build a resilient system that mitigates the risk of oil spills and protects our environment for future generations.

“I therefore urge you all to take advantage of this auspicious occasion to discuss exhaustively and proffer suggestions and recommendations that will improve the various regulatory processes tabled by NOSDRA that will enhance sustainable environmental management in the petroleum industry in Nigeria.”

Also, Dr. Yusuf Rigasa Director of Oil Field Assessment (OFA), NOSDRA reaccertain that Oil spill management is of paramount importance to us all.

Speaking on the devastating impacts of oil spills on ecosystems, wildlife, local economies, the well-being and livelihoods of host communities.

Dr. Rigasa said is a collective responsibility that individuals must shoulder together, as stakeholders representing various sectors, to tackle this pressing issue head-on and work towards effective and efficient solutions.

“This stakeholder meeting serves as a platform for us to share our knowledge, expertise, and experiences. It is an opportunity to foster collaboration, enhance communication, and strengthen our collective efforts towards improving the regulatory processes and procedures governing the conduct of various activities in our quest for sustainable environmental management in the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

“By coming together, we can pool our resources, leverage our strengths, and develop,” he said.

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