By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Mr Chukwuemeka Woke, has warned members of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) to desist from ignoring invitations from the agency concerning oil pollution issues.
Speaking while receiving the leadership of the group led by the Executive Director Mr Gwueke Ajaifia, the DG said while the organisation remains “a major stakeholder” in the energy sector, it must subject itself to the laws of the land and support the agency achieve its primary objective of maximising “oil and gas production to stimulate robust economic growth in the country,” noting that the importance of ensuring environmental sustainability—NOSDRA’s core mandate—cannot be overlooked.
“As an agency, we need to address the neglect from some of your members in responding to our invitations concerning these critical issues,” Mr Woke stated, highlighting that NOSDRA is often the closest agency involved when such matters arise, and neglecting to engage with the agency can escalate tensions with communities and may lead to sanctions from regulatory authorities.
He urged OPTS to undertake community education and outreach initiatives aimed at raising awareness about petroleum-related crimes, such as pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal bunkering, stressing that these efforts are essential for effectively addressing these issues and promoting social harmony in oil-producing communities.
Mr Woke acknowledged that the current challenges facing Nigeria’s petroleum industry, particularly crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, were not anticipated when NOSDRA was established. This has led to significant difficulties in addressing oil spills resulting from third-party interference or sabotage.
He noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is diligently working to close regulatory gaps and strengthen enforcement measures to tackle these pressing issues.
Additionally, he pointed out that enhancing inter-agency collaboration is crucial for effectively addressing crude oil theft and similar challenges, expressing optimism that closer cooperation among key stakeholders, including NOSDRA, oil companies, and host communities—will play a vital role in overcoming these challenges.
Earlier, Mr Ajaifa informed the DG that the group visited him to explore potential areas of collaboration between NOSDRA and OPTS, which comprises 25 indigenous oil companies and five foreign operators in Nigeria.
He emphasized OPTS’s commitment to prioritizing environmental conservation within the petroleum industry, seeking a collaborative relationship with NOSDRA, which plays a crucial role among regulatory bodies due to its statutory mandate in environmental management and pollution control.
Addressing key challenges such as pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, insecurity, and excessive taxation, Mr Ajaifia recognized NOSDRA as a vital partner in fostering a regulatory environment that upholds acceptable standards and international best practices to attract investment in the sector.
