The Federal Government has adopted a new strategy to address the Niger Delta oil spill

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) says it has implemented strategies to combat the Niger Delta’s ongoing oil spills.

NOSDRA Director-General Idris Musa made the announcement at a one-day Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) plan on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, which NOSDRA organized to raise awareness about the dangers of pipeline vandalism.

Musa, who was represented by Mr Oladipo Obanuwa, NOSDRA’s Director, Asset Safety and Mitigation, stated that the new strategy entails deploying its DRR plan to all states in the region.

“The DRR plan was implemented for the first time in Bayelsa state in 2014, and it will now be replicated in other oil-producing states and transit states.”

“NOSDRA developed the plan to create and sustain an interface with stakeholders who had previously not been effectively engaged in the effort to reduce pipeline vandalism.”

“While crude oil spills can occur as a result of equipment failure, pipeline vandalism by unscrupulous elements contributes significantly to this threat.”

“This hazard has resulted in adverse socioeconomic, health, and environmental problems, endangering the ecosystem and people’s livelihood,” he said.

Musa stated that the agency began testing the new strategy in the communities of Ikarama and Kalada, as well as 25 other participating communities, between May 26 and August 27, 2015.

The DRR plan, he claims, harmonizes the roles and responsibilities of the government, oil industry operators, host and transit communities, and other relevant stakeholders in dealing with crude oil spills.

“As a result, the DRR Plan will be a project that is driven by the community, implemented by the community, monitored by the community, and evaluated by the community.”

“It also ensures that host and transit communities, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, hold themselves accountable for advocating for and protecting their immediate environment,” he added.

Mr. Emmanuel Fienemika, Director, Inspectorate and Enforcement, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, expressed concern about pipeline vandals’ activities in the state.

He blamed the rising vandalism on pipeline owners and operators’ alleged refusal to collaborate and engage communities.

“The failure of pipeline owners and operators to partner with host communities has resulted in distrust and self-help syndrome in our communities.”

“The Rivers State Government enacted the Rivers State Environmental Protection and Management Law of 2019 to combat the threat of pipeline vandalism.”

“Following that, we established committees on pipeline protection and the preservation of oil and gas right of way to conduct community-wide sensitization campaigns,” he explained.

Fienemika urged NOSDRA to be tenacious, honest, and consistent in its newly launched program to effectively combat crude oil spills in the country.