March 23, 2022

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) on Wednesday decried the rate of environmental pollution caused by artisanal refineries, oil theft and vandalism.

Mr. Musa Idris, Director-General (DG) of NOSDRA told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that the agency is committed to its mandate of preserving the environment.

Idris said that efforts by the agency to remediate and restore polluted areas were being marred by third-party induced oil spills caused by oil thieves, vandals and illegal oil refineries.

According to him, activities of illegal oil refineries and oil thieves devastate the environment as well as cause economic loss to the nation.

Idris however urged stakeholders to close ranks to curb the menace.

“The Agency wants all stakeholders in the petroleum industry to know the negative impacts which the destruction of critical national infrastructure in the petroleum industry has on the national economy.

“It adversely affects the health and general wellbeing of our communities and the environment.

“The agency therefore craves the indulgence of the general public to embrace patriotism and have a complete departure from these criminal acts in the national interest,” he said.

Idris said that NOSDRA is concerned that oil spills arising from third party interference have been on the increase in recent times with devastating damage to the environment.

He said that recently, three major oil spill incidents occurred at some oil facilities.

Idris said the facilities were operated by Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company, Continental Oil and Gas Company Limited and Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited.

He said that investigations by NOSDRA showed that all the three incidents were caused by third party interference where wellhead valves were removed.

The DG added that the agency also intensified efforts in enforcing environmental compliance concerns by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

He said that the oil firm had engaged five contractors to clean up the oil spills from two recent incidents arising from sabotage and equipment failure.

Idris said that the agency was working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that areas impacted by the oil spill due to equipment failure were captured for fair compensation and clean-up.

He said that NOSDRA under his watch would not be deterred adding that the agency had over the years engaged critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta Region and other parts of the nation.

“NOSDRA engages stakeholders through its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) sensitisation workshops.

“The workshops dwell on the menace of artisanal refining, oil theft and pipeline vandalism which are largely responsible for the devastating degradation of the Nigerian environment, especially in the Niger Delta region,” Idris said. (NAN)