Environment

NOSDRA Activates National Oil Spill Contingency Plan

Published

13 years ago

December 25, 2013

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) says it has activated its National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) to respond effectively to oil spill disaster in the country.

The Director-General of the agency, Mr Peter Idabor, told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, that in order to ensure the workability of the plan, NOSDRA in collaboration with Shell Petroleum Company put the plan to the test by mimicking an oil spill situation.

Idabor, who said that the test was successfully carried out, explained that one of the reasons for the creation of NOSDRA was to ensure prompt response to oil spill disaster in the country.

“We simulated a spill had happened and we called all the stakeholders, including the Army, the Police, the Customs and the Immigration.

“All these were deployed as if there was a real spill; there was a plane that came from London and another one from Ghana.

“The background of the simulation is that we pretended that one of the facilities of Shell had been attacked by over 60 boats carrying armed militants who had shot at six tanks.

“And that two out of the six tanks were now linking and 16,000 barrels (of oil) had gone into the ocean.

“We called in the Army and Air Force to get ready and things like that; after 48 hours, we told everybody to stand down, that it was just a drill.“

Speaking further on the achievements of NOSDRA in 2013, the director-general said that the agency had also deployed its vessel for the first time.

Our correspondent recalls that the 19-metre pollution intervention vessel, ‘Recovery, was unveiled in August by the former Minister of Environment, Mrs Hadiza Mailafia.

Idabor stated that the activation of the plan and the deployment of the agency’s vessel proved to be very efficient when a real spill happened in AGIP immediately after the simulation activities.

He said that the vessel was diverted to the affected areas and other stakeholders were there to collaborate with the agency to ensure the clean-up of the sites.

In addition, he said that the agency had established a web-based oil spill monitor for reporting oil spills in the country.

“We have set up what we call an oil spill monitor. This oil spill monitor helps us to know oil companies that are polluting more than the others, which sites have been cleaned up and which sites have not been cleaned up over time.“

He said that the platform would be launched officially in January, explaining that information received on the monitor would be reported to the minister.

According to him, it is the first time the country is having an oil spill monitor.

He said that the monitor had been showing the performance of the oil companies.

The director-general, however, said that the agency had been collaborating with other countries in West, Central Africa as well as South Africa, where “countries come together to help combat disaster that happen to any country“.

He said that the agency was also affiliated to the International Petroleum Association and International Maritime Organisation, to share experiences and learn best practices on addressing oil spills.

Environment

LWC, Julius Berger seek stronger coordination on Lagos infrastructure

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has commenced discussions with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to strengthen coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

This is contained in a statement issued by the corporation.

The corporation said the engagement followed a courtesy and familiarisation visit led by its Managing Director, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, to Julius Berger’s Ijora office.

It said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and creating opportunities for deeper collaboration between both organisations.

The corporation stressed the importance of cordial relationships with neighbouring organisations and strategic stakeholders to promote future collaboration.

The meeting focused on road construction, water pipeline protection, water infrastructure development and sustainable water supply across Lagos Island and its environs.

Both organisations highlighted the need for early communication and technical coordination to prevent conflicts between road projects and existing water infrastructure.

Julius Berger Regional Commercial Manager, Region West, Mr Alexander Bauer, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable engineering solutions rather than short-term fixes.

Bauer stressed the importance of early stakeholder engagement and proper coordination before construction activities begin.

The meeting also examined access to project drawings and technical information required to improve coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

Julius Berger explained that releasing detailed project drawings remained subject to approval from the appropriate client.

Both organisations therefore agreed on the need to engage the Lagos State Government to secure necessary approvals and strengthen technical collaboration.

The discussions also focused on accurate pipeline information and its importance in planning future water infrastructure and urban development projects.

The LWC delegation raised concerns about uncoordinated borehole drilling and its potential effects on groundwater resources and the ecosystem.

Participants noted that stronger public water supply systems could reduce dependence on individual boreholes and help protect underground water resources.

Construction & Maintenance

They also agreed on the importance of sharing information on construction activities, road conditions, project schedules and potential disruptions.

Security and community considerations were also discussed, with Julius Berger highlighting its engagement with relevant authorities on security infrastructure within the area.

The meeting ended with a shared commitment to open communication, stronger technical coordination and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.

The engagement is expected to strengthen synergies between water and road infrastructure planning and support resilient and sustainable infrastructure development across Lagos.

Environment

IYD: Climate experts advocate investment in African youth

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

Some Climate Experts across Africa have called for investment in African youth to enhance future security.

They made the call on Wednesday during a webinar organised by Planet, People and Peace Foundation (PPPF), a non-governmental organisation, to observe 2026 International Youth Day (IYD).

According to them, there is a need to invest, listen and create opportunities for young African people.

The Tide source reports that the 2026 theme of the IYD is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’’.

Miss Bisi Kumuyi, the Secretary, Climate Beyond Border Caravan (CBBC), Nigeria, who canvassed for investment in youth, said the future of Africa would be determined by the opportunities the continent created for its young people today.

The CBBC, an initiative of PPPF, is a pan-African, youth-led campaign promoting climate action, cross-border cooperation and green economic transformation across the continent.

‘‘As Africa joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Aug. 12, 2026, we celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience and determination of young Africans who continue to shape the continent’s present and future.

‘‘This year’s theme reminds us that young people across Africa live in different social, economic and cultural circumstances.

‘‘They share common aspirations: access to quality education, decent employment, innovation, peace, inclusion, environmental sustainability and opportunities to fulfil their potential,’’ she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Nouran Farouk, an Egyptian Climate Activist, called for urgent investment in Africa’s youth.

According to her, Africa is the world’s youngest continent, and its youthful population represented one of its greatest assets.

Environment

PWDs: CCD Unveils Report On Climate Change Impacts, Urges Implementation

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has unveiled a research report on impacts of climate change on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), calling for its implementation in the country.

The Acting Director CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, made the call at the public presentation of the report titled: “Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria” on Wednesday in Lagos.

The event brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and other key stakeholder to foster dialogue, collaboration and stronger commitment to disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria.

Unumeri urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and policy commitment toward building climate resilience and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response.

He noted that valuable insights and recommendations from stakeholders at a validation workshop in February had been incorporated into the report.

According to him, effective implementation of the recommendations requires sustained collaboration, strong policy commitment, adequate resource mobilisation and coordinated action across sectors.

“By working together, we can translate these findings into practical interventions that strengthen climate resilience and ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response,” he said.

In her remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, urged the stakeholders to ensure that the report would be translated into practical interventions to enhance full inclusion of PWDs particularly in climate change policies.