By Diana Omueza
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), has vowed to go after oil spillers, tankers and pipeline vanders in the country, irrespective of their position in the society.
Mr Edward Omo-Erewa, the newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of NOSDRA said this on Thursday in Abuja during his familiarisation visit to the agency.
Omo-Erewa said that it was time to hold those who spilled oil, vanderlised pipes, polluted the society and caused harm to the society responsible for their actions.
According to him, we will go after those who spill oil irrespective of who they are. Over the years, there have been no discipline, and because our problem is indiscipline, we are ready to change the narrative.
“Few weeks ago some tankers got spilled, now we will go after them so they will know we are serious.
“We need to make ourselves known and that is how to also draw the government’s attention to the agency,” he said.
Omo-Erewa also said that he was aware of the staff strength of the agency and the poor working conditions staffers were subjected to.
He pledged to enhance the agency, improve staff welfare and boost overall productivity, while calling for robust collaboration between the agency’s management and the board.
In his remarks, Mr Chukwuemeka Woke, Director General, NOSDRA, welcomed the Chairman and expressed optimism that his presence would make a positive impact in the agency.
Woke stressed the need for synergy between the board and management of the agency with a view to achieving the mandates of the agency.
He urged the board not to work in silos and pledged the support of the management in providing all necessary information to guide the activities of the board.
He also promised that there would be no rivalry between the board and the management.
