Aminat Isah, Abuja
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Marine Oil Spill Management to further tackle the incident of oil spill in Nigeria.
Speaking on Wednesday, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the MoU was necessary because proactive and well calculated response to marine oil spill is very complex and requires a well-coordinated effort by the stakeholders.
He also said the objective of the MoU is to strengthen cooperation. coordination and mutual assistance between the two Agencies with respect to Marine Oil Spill Management, as it will make response to marine oil pollution incidents in Nigeria efficient and effective and consequently ensures marine environment sustainability.
According to him, “It is imperative to mention here that during the last IMO Member States Audit Scheme (IMSAS) that took place in 2016, the IMO auditors identified the lack of clear division of responsibilities for oil spill responses between NIMASA and NOSDRA with regards to the marine environment. This issue was not new as it had been coming to fore in our previous meetings and it was recommended that the two Agencies cooperate to achieve the Nigeria’s common goal of effective response to Marine Oil Spill Incidents. Hence. the spirit of this MoU.
“Proactive and well calculated response to marine oil spill is very complex and requires a well-coordinated effort by the Parties involved, hence the need for signing of the MoU as a commitment made by the two Agencies”. READ ALSO: (PHOTOS) Emir of Ilorin takes birthday galore to Alma Mater after 63yrs
In his remarks, the Director General of NOSDRA, MR. Idris Musa, disclosed that event represents the renewal of the fruitful cooperation between the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (N IMASA).
According to him, “the agencies have been working together since their inception, while the development of the MoU was necessitated in 2016 when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) carried out an IMO Members State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) which involved relevant stakeholders including the National Oil spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).”
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