Nigeria
is richly endowed with abundant and diverse resources, both renewable
and non-renewable; some of which include Forests, Water, Oil,
Natural Gas, and Solid Minerals. The vast resources serve as potential
for a firm industrial base capable of generating rapid economic
development. However, the Nigerian environment today is faced
with many problems, arising from the impacts of human activities
and natural phenomenon. The gravity of these problems on the environment
led to the establishment of the defunct Federal Environmental
Protection Agency in 1988 and subsequently, the establishment
of a full-fledged Federal Ministry of Environment in June 1999.
The mandate of the Ministry is pivoted on the
National Policy for the Environment. This document provides a
broad spectrum of environmental issues that require definite attention
and action. Among these is the critical concern on oil pollution
emanating from spills, oil well blow-outs, pipeline vandalism,
and equipment failure. These have resulted in problems such as:
the loss of the aesthetic values of natural beaches due to oil
slicks; damage to marine wildlife, modification of the ecosystem
through species elimination and the delay in biota (fauna and
flora) succession; and decrease in fishery resources. There has
also been the loss of mangrove as a source of both fuelwood for
the indigenous people and a habitat for the biodiversity. The
cumulative effect of these led to incessant community restiveness,
most especially in the Niger-Delta area.
In recognizing that the Government is the environmental
conscience of the nation, a series of deliberations in different
fora led to the review and approval of the National Oil Spill
Contingency Plan (NOSCP) to ensure preparedness, and prompt response
to oil spill incidents. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response
Agency (NOSDRA) was established in 2006 as an institutional framework
to co-ordinate the implementation of the National Oil Spill Contingency
Plan (NOSCP) for Nigeria in accordance with the International
Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation
(OPRC 90) to which Nigeria is a signatory.
NOSDRA is therefore, the lead Agency in ensuring timely, effective
and appropriate response to oil spills, through clean up and remediation
of all impacted sites to all best practical extent.
Since its establishment, the Agency has been
intensely occupied with ensuring compliance to environmental legislation
in the Nigerian Petroleum Sector. The Agency embarks on Joint
Investigation Visits, ensures the remediation of impacted sites,
and monitors oil spill drill exercises and facilities inspection.
This website presents an overview of the Agency and its functions.
It also avails the public opportunity to appreciate the Agency’s
commitment to deliver its mandate to the best of its ability.
As we forge ahead, we need the trust and support of all stakeholders
in the Petroleum Sector and, in fact, the citizens of our great
nation, Nigeria, to ensure the sustainability of our environment.
Chief (Mrs.) Helen Esuene
The Honourable Minister
Federal Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urban Development
[2006-2007]
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