Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), a global leader in oil spill preparedness and response. This assurance was made during a courtesy visit by an OSRL delegation to NOSDRA’s headquarters on Thursday. This was contained in a statement signed by Ronke Asagun, Media and Publicity Unit, NOSDRA.
Welcoming the delegation, the Director General of NOSDRA, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke emphasized the agency’s mandate to ensure a safe and sustainable environment through the prevention and effective management of oil spills.
He noted that strategic partnerships play a vital role in fulfilling this mandate, especially with organizations like OSRL that bring international expertise and technical capacity.
“One of our core mandates is to ensure a safe environment for our people by preventing oil spills, which pose a serious threat to lives, property, and ecosystems, and we are prepared to deepen our collaboration with OSRL in the fight against oil pollution in Nigeria.” Woke said.
The Director General also commended OSRL for recent training sessions provided to NOSDRA staff from both the headquarters and zonal offices, noting that such capacity-building initiatives have significantly strengthened the agency’s ability to respond to oil spill incidents.
“We appreciate OSRL’s investment in the professional development of our personnel. These training programs have equipped our team with the critical knowledge and skills needed for timely and effective response,” he added.
During the visit, Mr. Mbami Manzo, OSRL’s Technical Training Advisor and Duty Manager, delivered a presentation on oil spill preparedness, response strategies, and environmental mitigation techniques. He emphasized OSRL’s commitment to remaining abreast of any changes in environmental regulations and pledged continued support to NOSDRA.
“We are open to deeper collaboration with NOSDRA, especially in joint response efforts, and I commend NOSDRA staff for their passion and professionalism. Working with them in the field has been a rewarding learning experience.” He said.
Mr. Tom Smith, OSRL’s Regional Preparedness Representative, also gave a presentation during the event. As part of the program, awards were presented, and a question and answer session was held, allowing for robust engagement between both parties.
The event was attended by NOSDRA’s Technical Directors and other key personnel. Both organizations concluded the meeting by reaffirming their shared commitment to environmental safety, capacity development, and stronger technical cooperation in addressing oil spill challenges across Nigeria.
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