By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Director General/Chief Executive, National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke has expressed concern over the Agency’s limited visibility and effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate.
Engr Woke at an extraordinary meeting held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday said NOSDRA is set to enhance its operational effectiveness and impact.
He emphasized the urgent need for the management team to align with the strategic objectives outlined in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We must acknowledge that, as we approach our 20th anniversary, our impact has not met the expectations set forth in our founding legislation,” he stated.
The Director General highlighted the critical timing of this meeting, noting the Federal Government’s commitment to increasing crude oil production as a means to bolster national revenue.
He called upon zonal heads and directors to collaborate in a concerted effort to reform, reposition, and strategize NOSDRA’s operations to better complement the government’s initiatives.
“Our agency’s image and operational effectiveness are crucial not only for local communities but also for international stakeholders and oil companies,” Engr. Woke said.
According to him, “We need to change the narrative surrounding NOSDRA and enhance our internally generated revenue while fostering deeper cooperation with other bodies to improve the living standards of communities affected by oil spills.”
The Director General/Chief Executive reaffirmed NOSDRA’s unique position as the only legally established agency dedicated to the detection and response to oil spills, adhering to the highest operational standards.
He emphasized the importance of teamwork in realizing the goals mandated by the agency’s founding legislation.
Woke expressed readiness to collaborate with the management team, urging all members to actively engage in reshaping NOSDRA’s operational framework.
In their contributions, zonal and field heads, along with department directors, commended Engr. Woke for his dedication and vision for advancing the agency.
Representatives from various regional offices, including Lagos, Akure, Warri, Ilorin, Lokoja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Gombe, Jos, Kano, Kaduna, and Yenagoa, presented comprehensive overviews of their operational domains.
