- …as Minister launches Achievement Compendium and relaunches ESI Map, commends NOSDRA’s high integrity ranking, promises support to reduce artisanal refining spills
By Faustinus Nwaorgu
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – The Federal Government has praised the exceptional work of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), its Director-General, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, and the management team after the public unveiling of the Agency’s Compendium of Achievements and the relaunch of the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map.
Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas-Lawal, recognised these efforts during the official ceremony at the Abuja Continental Hotel on Tuesday.
He called the event a sign of Nigeria’s commitment to environmental protection, accountability, and sustainable development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his keynote address, the Minister stressed that the Compendium and the updated ESI Map offer a clear, evidence-based record of NOSDRA’s efforts.
This aligns with the Federal Government’s move toward data-driven environmental governance.
Mallam Abbas-Lawal shared significant results, noting that NOSDRA completed 1,424 Joint Investigation Visits (JIVs), recovered 15,980 barrels of crude oil from 1,512 spills, and issued 660 Closeout Certificates for major clean-up projects, including those in Bodo and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) sites.
The Minister celebrated the Agency’s recognition as the top-performing MDA in Nigeria’s Transparency and Integrity Index for both 2023 and 2024. He called it a remarkable achievement of institutional excellence.
While acknowledging these successes, the Minister expressed concern about the rising issue of artisanal refining, which is responsible for about 82 per cent of oil spills in the country.
He urged NOSDRA to step up surveillance, community engagement, and enforcement efforts to combat this harmful practice.
READ ALSO: Gov Otti attributes voters’ apathy to disenchantment with those entrusted with political power
Mallam Balarabe Abbas-Lawal reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for NOSDRA in its mission to create a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable oil and gas industry.
Mr Edward Omo-Erewa, the Chairman of the NOSDRA Governing Board, also spoke. He congratulated Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke and the entire staff praised their professionalism and achievements as a clear sign of effective leadership and teamwork.
He observed that NOSDRA’s proactive approach and consistent recognition both nationally and internationally prove its operational excellence.
In his opening remarks, Director-General Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke expressed deep gratitude to the Minister, the Governing Board, and all stakeholders.
He pointed out that the Compendium and ESI Map relaunch not only records progress across policy, capacity building, and enforcement but also reaffirms the Agency’s commitment to transparency and environmental stewardship.
Engr. Woke mentioned the Agency’s reliance on technological innovation, citing platforms like the Oil Spill Monitor, Gas Flare Tracker, and Methane Emission Tracker to provide real-time environmental data.
He noted that the relaunch of the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map marks significant progress, as the new version combines geospatial and socio-economic data to enhance timely and coordinated responses to oil spills.
The DG credited the Agency’s success to the combined efforts of its staff and stakeholders, promising to maintain the focus on accountability and innovation.
The ceremony wrapped up with key stakeholders and development partners offering goodwill messages, commending NOSDRA’s ongoing transparency and leadership.
Dignitaries then jointly unveiled the Compendium and the relaunched ESI Map, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s environmental management efforts.
