The Director General of the National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, accompanied by senior management officials, conducted a crucial assessment visit to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Port Harcourt. The visit aimed to evaluate SPDC’s response efforts following the recent oil spill incident in Bonny, which has impacted the Oyorokot community in Andoni Local Government Area.
The discussions focused on assessing SPDC’s immediate interventions and ongoing measures to contain and mitigate the spill’s effects on affected communities. Engr. Woke commended SPDC for its initial proactive steps but emphasized the need to alleviate community distress and prevent further spread of the spill.
“Our presence here, ahead of the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) scheduled for tomorrow, underscores our commitment to ensuring the site’s readiness for effective containment strategies,” said Engr. Woke. “It is critical to evaluate both the immediate actions taken and the long-term plans for managing and remediating the spill’s impact.”
NOSDRA highlighted its dual responsibility of environmental stewardship and rapid response. Engr. Woke also noted the agency’s recent provisional approval for the use of dispersants to control the spill, underscoring NOSDRA’s dedication to minimizing ecological damage through collaborative efforts with industry partners.
Dr. Sola Oladipo, Director of Planning, Policy Analysis, and Research at NOSDRA, reiterated the agency’s focus on preventing further shoreline contamination and environmental degradation. “Protecting our environment and national interests remains paramount in our efforts,” he emphasized.
In response, Engr. Abatam Nwosu, Commander of Emergency Response at Shell Nigeria, assured NOSDRA of SPDC’s commitment to prioritizing community safety and environmental protection. “Our protocols are stringent, with human safety and environmental integrity at the forefront of our response efforts,” he stated.
He further elaborated on the complexities involved, mentioning potential additional spillage from another operator pipeline and the necessity for analytical sampling to ascertain spill origins amidst multiple operational activities offshore.
The NOSDRA team, which included Mr. Ime Ekanem, Assistant Director and Zonal Head of the Port Harcourt Zonal Office, concluded the visit by reinforcing their commitment to sustained collaboration. Both NOSDRA and SPDC affirmed their shared goal of strengthening immediate response measures and implementing long-term environmental recovery strategies.
