FG Commends NOSDRA’s High Integrity Ranking Under Woke

ITODE AKARI

The Federal Government has lauded the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) for attaining a high integrity and performance ranking under the leadership of its Director-General, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke.

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who the commendation during the public unveiling of the Agency’s Compendium of Achievements and the relaunch of the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map in Abuja.

Lawal said NOSDRA’s renewed commitment to transparency, data integrity, and rapid response to environmental emergencies had strengthened Nigeria’s global image in environmental management.

He noted that the agency’s improved rating, recently affirmed by independent assessors, reflects the administration’s drive to reposition regulatory institutions for better service delivery and public trust.

Lawal described the feat 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 updated Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map offer a clear, evidence-based record of NOSDRA’s efforts, adding that it aligns with the Federal Government’s move toward data-driven environmental governance.

Mallam Abbas-Lawal who highlighted significant data, disclosed 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, describing it as a remarkable achievement of institutional excellence.

Further acknowledging the agency’s successes, the Minister expressed concern about the rising issue of artisanal refining, responsible for about 82 percent of oil spills in the country, urging NOSDRA to step up surveillance, community engagement, and enforcement efforts to combat this harmful practice.

He reaffirmed his Ministry’s support for NOSDRA in its mission to create a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable oil and gas industry.

On his part, Mr. Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman of the NOSDRA Governing Board, congratulated Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke and the entire staff for their professionalism and achievements, noting that it signifies effective leadership and teamwork.

He observed that NOSDRA’s proactive approach and consistent recognition both nationally and internationally prove its operational excellence.

In his remarks, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA),

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 record progress across policy, capacity building, and enforcement but also reaffirm the Agency’s commitment to transparency and stewardship of the environment.

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 Director-General attributed the Agency’s success to the collective commitment of its staff and stakeholders, assuring that NOSDRA would sustain its culture of accountability and innovation.

Highlighting the ceremony’s climax, dignitaries jointly unveiled the Agency’s Compendium and the relaunched the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map, ushering in a new phase in Nigeria’s environmental management efforts.

The event concluded with goodwill messages from key stakeholders and development partners, who commended NOSDRA’s continued transparency and exemplary leadership.