Port Harcourt, Rivers State—December 15, 2024:
NOSDRA Evaluates SPDC’s Response to Oil Spill in Bonny
The Director General of the National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, led a senior management team to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Port Harcourt to assess the company’s response to a recent oil spill in Bonny, Rivers State. The spill has significantly impacted the Oyorokot community in Andoni Local Government Area.
The visit, conducted ahead of the scheduled Joint Investigation Visit (JIV), aimed to evaluate SPDC’s initial interventions and ongoing containment efforts. Engr. Woke praised SPDC’s proactive measures but stressed the need for comprehensive strategies to prevent further leaks, mitigate community distress, and address long-term environmental recovery.
“Our presence here underscores our commitment to ensuring readiness for containment strategies,” Woke said. “It’s crucial to evaluate immediate and long-term plans for managing and remediating the spill’s effects.”
NOSDRA’s Role in Spill Mitigation
During the visit, NOSDRA highlighted its dual mandate of environmental protection and rapid response. The agency has granted provisional approval for the use of dispersants to minimize ecological damage and pledged continued collaboration with SPDC to manage the crisis.
Dr. Sola Oladipo, NOSDRA’s Director of Planning, Policy Analysis, and Research, expressed concern over potential shoreline breaches, emphasizing the agency’s focus on preventing further environmental degradation.
SPDC’s Commitment to Safety
SPDC’s Emergency Response Commander, Engr. Abatam Nwosu, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to community safety and environmental integrity.
“Our protocols prioritize human safety and environmental protection,” Nwosu said. “We’ve initiated containment efforts, including maritime vessel deployment, though identifying leak origins in open waters remains a complex challenge.”
Nwosu also noted the possibility of additional spillage from another operator’s pipeline and the need for analytical sampling to pinpoint the source of the spill amidst offshore operational activities.
Strengthening Collaboration
The visit concluded with a commitment to sustained cooperation between NOSDRA and SPDC. Both parties emphasized the importance of enhancing immediate response measures and long-term recovery strategies to safeguard affected communities and ecosystems.
The delegation included key NOSDRA officials, such as Mr. Ime Ekanem, Assistant Director and Zonal Head, Port Harcourt Zonal Office. Together, they pledged to prioritize environmental protection while ensuring accountability and transparency in addressing the spill.
NOSDRA
Abuja
December 15, 2024
