NOSDRA seeks role for oil communities

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) reiterates the need for oil communities to be part of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) plan programme on dangers of pipeline vandalism.
A statement issued by Henshaw Ogbuike, the head of public affairs of NOSDRA, said that the implementation of the DRR has entered the third phase.
The statement quoted Peter Idabor, the Director Gneral of NOSDRA, saying that the community based DRR in Port Harcourt was meant to press home the fact that oil pipeline vandalism was a threat.
It said that crude oil spilled into the environment due to the failure of equipment used by the oil companies, adding that preventing the spill would involve cooperation of companies, government and oil producing communities.
The statement said that previous efforts at combating the menace which excluded the oil bearing communities had recorded limited success, adding: “The DRR plan was developed by the agency to incorporate and sustain an interface with stakeholders that hitherto have not been effectively engaged in the effort to curb pipeline vandalism.
“While it is true that crude oil is spilled into the environment due to equipment failure, pipeline vandalism by unscrupulous elements also contributes largely to the menace resulting in adverse socio-economic, health and environmental conditions.
“The significance of this occasion cannot be over emphasized, the DRR plan will be a community – driven, community- implemented, community- monitored,” he said.