The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that it is closely monitoring the Crude oil spill incident in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The incident occurred during loading operations in Egina oil field in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on November 15 at about 6:30am.
The agency said this on Wednesday in a statement issued by its Assistant Director, Public Relations, Osagie Edward.
Edward stated that NIMASA is working closely with the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from the Crisis Management Room (CMR), where the spill is being monitored real time using oil spill monitoring software from the Emergency Response Center.
He further noted that “Though the volume of the spill is not yet confirmed, Total Energies is providing aerial surveillance, dispersant application, while further mobilisation is being considered. The Oil Spill Response Limited from the United Kingdom is also assisting with pollution control measures.
“Reconnaissance survey of the impacted area confirms that the shoreline communities of Andoni, Qua-Iboe terminals, Bonny Island, Opobo/Nkoro and Eastern Obolo, which are closest to Egina, are not yet affected.”
Edward stated that the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, noted that the agency was in collaboration with all stakeholders to control the pollution and put in place measures to prevent such occurrences in the future, in line with provisions of the MARPOL Convention.
According to him, Jamoh said that “Since the incident happened, our men have been liaising with other organs of Government to ensure the pollution is effectively controlled and managed, to protect the marine environment and the communities close to the incident point.
“Accidents do happen, it’s what we do thereafter that matters and I believe that the IOC Total, working with NIMASA, NUPRC, NOSDRA and collaborating with international service providers, will surely ensure proper management of the spill.
