NOSDRA partners EU on oil spill response
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, have agreed to seek greater collaboration between the two bodies towards building a strong and internationally supported framework for oil spill response, environmental protection and sustainable development in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions. NOSDRA and the EU came […]
FILE PHOTO: Oil spill
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, have agreed to seek greater collaboration between the two bodies towards building a strong and internationally supported framework for oil spill response, environmental protection and sustainable development in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions.
NOSDRA and the EU came to an understanding during a working visit by the Director General of the former, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, and Management at the EU’s office in Abuja as part of NOSDRA’s quest for strategic international support to strengthen the actualisation of its institutional mandate.
During the meeting, priority was given to the development of a robust environmental impact assessment and remediation framework for artisanal refining sites, the deployment of in-situ oil spill response equipment and tools, and capacity building through structured training and retraining initiatives.
Such partnership, Engr. Woke explained, was essential for tackling persistent environmental threats, particularly the challenges posed by illegal oil bunkering and artisanal refining, which have devastated oil-producing communities across Nigeria.
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“The main objective of this visit is to seek strategic collaboration with the EU to help escalate the challenges we face, particularly the issues of illegal bunkering and artisanal refineries. With the support of the Nigerian Government and the European Union, we believe we can eliminate the suffering of people living in oil spill-impacted areas and attract stronger international commitment to environmental justice,” Engr. Woke added.
Responding, the Acting Head of Delegation at the EU, Mr. Ruben Alba, welcomed the NOSDRA team and praised the agency for taking the initiative to engage with international partners.