Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, FNSE, DSSRS, on Monday led a high-powered federal delegation to Kpean, Yorla Well 14 in Ogoniland, Rivers State, reaffirming the agency’s resolve to ensure the full restoration of the environment following a recent oil spill. This was contained in a piece written by Ronke Asagun, NOSDRA media team, principal information officer.
The inspection visit, conducted on December 22, 2025, was initiated by NOSDRA to assess the extent of environmental damage at the spill site and to evaluate ongoing response and remediation efforts. Engr. Woke said the visit underscored NOSDRA’s statutory responsibility to promptly respond to oil spill incidents and ensure that polluted environments are restored to their pristine state.
According to the NOSDRA DG, findings from the site showed that the spill at Yorla Well 14 persisted beyond the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV), which concluded on August 8, 2025. He explained that although the source of the spill was identified, initial denial of access to the facility by the host community delayed repairs by the operator, NEPL, leading to a secondary spill and necessitating urgent federal intervention.
Engr. Woke stressed that NOSDRA would not compromise on enforcement of environmental regulations, noting that operators must act swiftly to contain spills, while host communities must cooperate to prevent further environmental harm. He emphasized that sustained community engagement remains critical to achieving lasting solutions to oil spill challenges in Ogoniland.
Addressing the situation during the visit, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, warned that a recurrence of such incidents must be prevented. He called for improved surveillance and enhanced protection of critical oil assets and infrastructure across Ogoniland, stressing that safeguarding facilities are key to preventing environmental degradation and associated economic losses.
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Ojulari reaffirmed the company’s commitment to a comprehensive cleanup and remediation of the affected area. He assured that all necessary technical assessments would be carried out to ensure the full restoration of the impacted environment.
The federal delegation also included the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, and the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, reflecting the Federal Government’s coordinated approach to addressing environmental pollution in the Niger Delta.
Other senior NOSDRA officials who accompanied the Director-General included the Director of Oil Field Assessment, Dr. Yusuf Rigasa; Zonal Head, Port Harcourt, Mr. Augustine Bello; Head of the NOSDRA Reference Laboratory, Dr. Kenneth Aroh; Dr. Ismailia Ahmed Baba; and Mr. Chinedu Ogah.
Engr. Woke assured residents of Ogoniland that NOSDRA would continue to exercise its mandate diligently, working with all stakeholders to ensure accountability, timely remediation, and long-term environmental protection in the region.
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