The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN) have given environmental performance awards to oil and gas industry players.
The Director-General of NOSDRA, Idris Musa, said that the awards are a testament to stakeholders’ collective commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation and pursuit of excellence within the oil and gas industry.
Musa said this at the maiden edition of the award for the Oil and Gas sector on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Abuja.
The award was organised by NOSDRA in collaboration with SDN, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
Some of the awardees are TotalEnergy, Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Shell Petroleum Development Company and Agip Oil, while Akwa Ibom received the best environmental-friendly state award.
He said that the award was to recognise the organisation with the best environmental performance for 2022 and 2023.
Musa said that the performance award was conceived to highlight and reward those that have taken bold steps to address environmental challenges.
“It is to showcase significant progress we can achieve when we commit to responsible practices. This initiative also reflects our understanding of the path to sustainability and the need to work together.
“It requires collaboration among industry operators, regulatory bodies, local communities and international partners,” he said
Musa said that by sharing best practices and leveraging on new technologies among others, the nation could drive the transformative change needed to secure a sustainable future for the oil and gas industry.
He said that NOSDRA plays a crucial role in safeguarding the environment from the potential devastations arising from the operations of the oil and gas industry.
Musa explained that 73 companies were assessed from 2022 to 2023 based on performance variables, which included submission of incident reporting forms
Other variables are the inventory of spill response equipment stockpiles as a function of preparedness for response.
He said the award is grouped into four categories which included the best environmental performance for both local and international oil companies.
Others are most environmentally friendly states as well as awards for the 2019 and 2020 Environmental Performance Index carried out by SDN.
Florence IbokAbasi, Country Director, SDN, said the organisation’s collaboration with NOSDRA was to encourage improved environmental performance in the oil and gas sector.
She advocated for innovation and technical initiatives that would result in reduced oil spills and gas flare in the industry.
IbokAbasi identified some of the challenges in the industry as oil theft, sabotage and insecurity.
She said SDN was collaborating with relevant stakeholders including government agencies, and communities to ensure improved pollution reporting and a safer environment.
Jim Swartz, Chairman/Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Business Unit, a recipient of the award, said the organisation has been marked by continuous improvement, innovations and collaboration.
He was represented by Sam Daibo, Director, Government Affairs, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA).
“As we celebrate this environmental protection award, we re-echo our commitment to the partnership with NOSDRA and other stakeholders.
“The partnership is enhancing good environmental practices. Together we can build a sustainable future for Nigeria,” he said.
By Felicia Imohimi
