Oil spill crisis: Senator Natasha grills Oyetola on 7,000 incidents

From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

Concerned about the longstanding issue of oil spillage in Nigeria, the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has queried the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, over steps taken by his ministry to engage international oil companies (IOCs), particularly multinational firms such as Shell, to ensure proper environmental remediation in host communities.

She made the enquiry during a budget defence session at the National Assembly on Tuesday, when the minister and heads of agencies under his ministry appeared before the Committee on Marine Transport.

Drawing attention to the environmental cost of decades of oil exploration and its implications for the country’s blue economy ambitions, she noted that records show Nigeria has experienced more than 7,000 oil spills since the start of commercial production in 1958.

“Since 1958, Nigeria has suffered over 7,000 oil spills. One would have thought that, with the number of policies implemented, this would have become a thing of the past. The Niger Delta region has been severely impacted, and although some cleanup measures have been undertaken, our farmers and fishermen have borne the greatest burden,” the senator lamented.

“My question to you, Honourable Minister, is this, how have you, in your capacity as Minister of the Blue Economy, engaged the various IOCs, especially Shell, to ensure that oil-spill cleanup activities in the region are actually carried out?”

She noted that environmental protection is central to the success of Nigeria’s marine-based development strategy, warning that unchecked pollution could undermine the very foundations of the blue economy.

“The success of a thriving green-economy initiative is intricately linked to the condition of our waters, waste systems, and oceans. I therefore need to know how your ministry is engaging the IOCs on the cleanup of oil-polluted areas,” she added.

In his response, Oyetola clarified that the statutory responsibility for managing oil spills lies primarily with the Federal Ministry of Environment, though he acknowledged the importance of collaboration among relevant agencies.

“With regard to oil spillage, it is essentially an environmental matter and falls under the purview of the Ministry of Environment,” the minister said.

“However, it is not out of place for us to synergise with the Ministry of Environment.”