Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, has issued a stern warning to oil companies, urging them to comply with environmental regulations or face the full force of the law.
During a familiarization visit to NOSDRA’s zonal headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Woke emphasized that the agency established by law as a representative of the Federal Government, has a sacred mandate to regulate the oil industry’s environmental impact.
He assured that his leadership will not be compromised by vested interests or industry pressure, and that he is committed to upholding the law and ensuring compliance from all oil industry operators, including International Oil Companies, IOCs.
He said, “We will hold every oil operator accountable for their actions, and ensure that they adhere to the strictest standards of environmental responsibility.
“Having said that, let me address the issue raised by the Head of the NOSDRA Reference Laboratory, I want to assure you that I am not the kind of DG that any oil company would take for a ride.
“Any oil operator, be it IOCs, or anybody must comply with the regulations of NOSDRA. NOSDRA is established by an Act of law and so we represent the Federal Government and we are to regulate the operations of the oil industry as it relates to oil and gas pollution, and so nobody, no oil company is above the law.
“If they want to think they can reach me, I am not the type of DG that they would reach. So let the message go very clearly now, we must do the needful, they (oil operators) must grant you access to take samples and we must get the results. Be rest assured that you are protected as long as you are committed to your work.”
The newly appointed NOSDRA boss also addressed staff, assuring them of his commitment to taking the agency to the next level and improving equipment and staff welfare.
Woke was conducted around the zonal office by the Zonal Director, Engr Ime Ekanem, and the Head of the NOSDRA Reference Laboratory, Dr Kenneth Aroh where, he visited the Analytical Session Lab, Microbiological lab, Ecotoxicology Lab, and the Web-Chemistry laboratory.
He emphasized that he is the one who will appraise staff performance and determine promotions, and concluded by saying that his ‘real brothers’ were those who are committed to their work, and he looks forward to seeing their productivity.
“I have come to see things for myself, and I assure you that there will be improvements. But I need your commitment to work because your productivity output is what I will be appraised with at the Ministry of Environment,” he said.
