FG Begins Review of NOSDRA framework to mete stiffer penalties for oil spillage

Nov. 25, 2021

… Deploys personnel, equipment to begin recovery, remediation efforts handled by NOSDRA

The Federal Government has begun the process of reviewing the National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) in order to mete out stiffer penalties to oil companies involved in oil spillage in the country.

According to Channels Television report, the Minister of Environment, Sharon Ikeazor who disclosed this on Thursday at the weekly ministerial briefing at the State House, noted that a strong legal framework has become expedient to stop ongoing oil spills.

She further revealed that the OML29 oil spill in Nembe, Bayelsa State has been brought under control while blaming the oil spillage on sabotage by the locals.

According to her, necessary personnel and equipment have been deployed to begin recovery and remediation efforts handled by NOSDRA, as the agency assures that a post-spill impact assessment will be concluded in one month.

Again, Ikeazor indicated that the government is working to create alternative livelihoods for local communities to put a halt to illegal activities, that lead to sabotage of oil.

Nigeria has the highest rate of smoke-induced death in the world, most of which are women according the environment ministry.

The government is hoping to reintroduce clean cookstove and the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cookstove initiative described as fundamental, to enabling a reversal of the deaths and protecting the nation’s biodiversity.