The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has relaunched an updated Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map.
During the relaunch event, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas-Lawal, commended NOSDRA’s achievements under its current leadership.
Lawal described the relaunch of the ESI Map as a reflection of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to safeguarding the environment, promoting institutional accountability, and advancing sustainable development in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the Compendium of Achievements and the updated ESI Map provide a transparent record of NOSDRA’s performance and underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to evidence-based environmental governance and data-driven decision-making.
Highlighting key milestones, the Minister revealed that NOSDRA conducted 1,424 Joint Investigation Visits (JIVs), recovered 15,980 barrels of crude oil from 1,512 recorded spills, and issued 660 Closeout Certificates for major clean-up projects including those in Bodo and HYPREP.
Lawal also commended NOSDRA’s recognition as the top-performing MDA in Nigeria’s 2024 Transparency and Integrity Index, maintaining its remarkable feat from 2023.
He expressed concern over the growing menace of artisanal refining, which accounts for about 82 percent of oil spills nationwide, urging NOSDRA to intensify surveillance, community engagement, and enforcement to curb the practice.
Also speaking, NOSDRA Board Chairman, Mr. Edward Omo-Erewa, congratulated the Director-General, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, and the entire staff of the agency “for their commitment, professionalism, impressive accomplishments, and proactive approach to oil spill response and environmental monitoring.”
He called for continued collaboration among government agencies, industry players, and host communities to promote transparency, accountability, and environmental sustainability in the oil and gas sector.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NOSDRA, Engr. Woke, said the unveiling of the Compendium of Achievements and relaunch of the ESI Map “represent not only documentation of our achievements but also a reaffirmation of NOSDRA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and environmental stewardship.”
Woke explained that the Compendium captures the agency’s major milestones in policy implementation, capacity development, enforcement, and technological innovation.
He added that the new version of the ESI Map integrates geospatial and socio-economic data to identify sensitive areas, enabling timely and coordinated responses to oil spill incidents.
He reaffirmed NOSDRA’s readiness to deepen inter-agency collaboration and uphold international best practices in environmental protection.
Woke further assured that NOSDRA will continue to leverage technology to enhance oil spill response efficiency through platforms such as the Oil Spill Monitor, Gas Flare Tracker, and Methane Emission Tracker, which provide real-time environmental data for regulatory action.
He noted that NOSDRA’s efforts have strengthened collaboration with international partners, oil companies, and local communities, leading to improved remediation practices and stronger environmental governance.
According to him, the agency has also invested heavily in staff training and institutional reforms to equip its workforce for emerging environmental challenges.
Woke concluded by dedicating NOSDRA’s achievements to the collective efforts of its staff and stakeholders, reiterating his determination to sustain transparency, innovation, and accountability — principles that have earned the agency national recognition.