Group calls for the removal of DG NOSDRA

A pressure Group, Conference of Niger Delta Youths Representatives has called for the removal of Mr Peter Idabor, Director General of National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

In a statement made available to newsmen in Eket and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Harry Johnson and Secretary, Mr Enenyi Edidiong, the statement said that the Director General is incompetent and unprofessional.

The statement read “We are calling for the removal of the DG of NOSDRA, because he doesn’t know what is doing, let him contact an expert to enlighten him on what to do.” It further reads that Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) confirmed that the Bonga Oil spill of Shell which occurred on the 20th day of Dec, 2011 got to Akwa Ibom in a major quantity two days after the spill occurred.

The spill which affected five coastal states including Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Ondo was acclaimed by the Director-General to only affect Bayelsa and Delta.  It reads that the group gives 14 days ultimatum to NOSDAR to address the matter or face protest.

The statement also reads that 40,000 barrels of crude oil was spilled and not 35,000 barrels as positioned by the DG of NOSDRA.

Also reacting, Mr. Clifford Thomas, Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) in Akwa Ibom, expressed shock that the Post Impact Assessment (PIA) of the spill has not been done or made public. 

“NOSDRA is telling Nigerians that only the PIA handled by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) will show which and which states were impacted.”

“Worst is for the DG to claim that tidal waves on the sea or even a river do not move according to aero-dynamics of air and water movement only shows ignorance and incompetence.

Mr. Thomas noted that Akwa Ibom communities are still suffering from the impact of Bonga oil spill of Shell by inhaling air-borne particles of the dispersant and stated that they are considering a suit against NOSDRA for aiding Shell to commit crime against humanity, particularly for supporting the oil giant in killing thousands of fishermen and traders of marine products who are daily exposed to the chemicals within the last three years.
Mr. Ekpo Antai, An Associate Professor of the University of Calabar, in his comment on the issue noted said that during oil spill, current does not move in one direction.

“The current we know is not unidirectional. Current does not move in one directional, it has several currents within the area at any particular time therefore, it is wrong for somebody to say that if there is an oil spill here, the oil spill does not move east ward but rather move west ward, I think that is wrong’’ he said.

He therefore advised NOSDRA DG to contact experts to advise him appropriately before making commenting on issues.