The National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) says plans are underway to enhance its operational effectiveness and internally generated revenue. A statement by Okechukwu Emeh, NOSDRA spokesperson, said the agency’s director general, Chukwuemeka Woke, stated this at a management meeting in Abuja on Friday. Mr Woke emphasised the urgent need for the management team to align with the strategic objectives outlined in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed concern over NOSDRA’s limited visibility and effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate. “We must acknowledge that, as we approach our 20th anniversary, our impact has not met the expectations set forth in our founding legislation,” he said. Mr Woke said the federal government is committed to increasing crude oil production to bolster national revenue.
He called on zonal heads and directors to collaborate in a concerted effort to reform, reposition, and strategise 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. 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,” he said. He underscored the agency’s commitment to overcoming existing challenges and achieving its statutory objectives. The NOSDRA boss emphasised the importance of teamwork in realising the goals mandated by the agency’s founding legislation. He expressed readiness to collaborate with the management team and urged all members to actively reshape NOSDRA’s operational framework. NAN