Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, has approved the use of dispersants to manage the recent oil spill from Shell facility in Bonny, Rivers State, as part of efforts to contain its devastating environmental and social impact.
During a visit to the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, in Port Harcourt, NOSDRA’s Director General, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, emphasized the urgency of addressing the spill’s widespread impact, which has negatively affected Oyorokoto community in Andoni Local Government Area.
The visit, which comes ahead of a scheduled Joint Investigation Visit, JIV, was aimed at reviewing SPDC’s interventions and preparedness for long-term remediation.
Speaking ahead of the JIV, Woke said the visit was crucial to evaluating SPDC’s response and ensuring preparedness for further remediation efforts.
He said, “This is not just about stopping the spill but also about restoring livelihoods and preventing further environmental harm. The JIV tomorrow will allow us to better understand the scope of the spill and ensure all stakeholders are aligned in finding sustainable solutions.”
The NOSDRA boss also praised SPDC’s swift response but urged greater transparency and efficiency in the containment process.
“We commend SPDC for taking proactive measures so far, but there is no room for complacency. NOSDRA remains resolute in ensuring that no further harm comes to the affected communities and ecosystems,” he added.
SPDC’s Emergency Response Commander, Engr. Abatam Nwosu, provided updates on containment efforts, including the use of vessels and ongoing analyses to identify the spill’s source.
Nwosu also highlighted the complexities of managing potential additional spillage from a Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, pipeline.
“Our protocols prioritize human safety and environmental protection above all else. While identifying the exact source in offshore waters remains challenging, we are working closely with NOSDRA to ensure a coordinated response.
“We have to consider multiple factors, including overlapping activities offshore, but our commitment to addressing this spill remains unwavering,” he stressed.
Dr. Sola Oladipo, NOSDRA’s Director of Planning, Policy Analysis, and Research, expressed concerns about shoreline breaches and called for robust preventive measures.
“The potential for widespread environmental degradation is real. Our focus is to ensure that no further harm comes to communities and that remediation efforts are comprehensive,” he said.
Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Port Harcourt office, Mr. Ime Ekanem, reinforced the importance of stakeholder collaboration.
“Partnerships like this between regulators and operators are crucial. By working together, we can mitigate the damage and chart a clear path for recovery,” he noted.
The visit ended with a reaffirmed commitment to sustained cooperation between NOSDRA and SPDC, as the JIV tomorrow is expected to shed light on the spill’s cause, volume and guide the next steps in containment and long-term recovery.
