A high-level federal government delegation has visited the site of a recent oil spill in Ogoniland, Rivers State, with a firm commitment to ensure the complete restoration of the impacted environment. The visit was led by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
High-Level Visit to Assess Environmental Damage
The delegation, which included top officials from several key agencies, conducted an inspection at Kpean, the location of Yorla Well 14, on December 23, 2025. The primary goal was to evaluate the extent of environmental degradation and review the ongoing response and cleanup operations. Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, the Director-General of NOSDRA, personally led the assessment.
Woke reassured the residents of Ogoniland that his agency remains dedicated to its mandate. He emphasized working with all stakeholders to ensure accountability, prompt remediation, and long-term protection for the region's ecosystem. He stated that the visit highlighted NOSDRA's statutory duty to respond quickly to spills and to see that polluted areas are returned to their original, healthy state.
Delayed Repairs Led to Secondary Spill
Findings from the site revealed a concerning development. The oil spill from Yorla Well 14 continued even after the official Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) concluded on August 8, 2025. Engr. Woke explained that while the source of the leak was identified, initial denial of access to the facility by the host community delayed necessary repairs by the operator, NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL).
This delay resulted in a secondary spill, forcing the federal government to step in urgently. The NOSDRA DG was unequivocal, stating that the agency will not compromise on enforcing environmental regulations. He called on operators to act swiftly to contain spills and urged host communities to cooperate to prevent further environmental damage.
Federal Government's Coordinated Response
The composition of the delegation underscored a unified government approach to the Niger Delta's pollution challenges. Alongside NOSDRA officials, the team included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
NSA Ribadu issued a strong warning, stating that such incidents must not happen again. He called for improved surveillance and better protection of critical oil infrastructure across Ogoniland, noting that safeguarding these facilities is crucial to preventing environmental harm and economic losses.
Engr. Bashir Ojulari, the Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited, reaffirmed the company's commitment to a comprehensive cleanup. He promised that all required technical assessments would be conducted to ensure the full restoration of the environment.
The delegation also included Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), signaling the integration of remediation efforts. NOSDRA officials present included Dr. Yusuf Rigasa, Mr. Augustine Bello, Dr. Kenneth Aroh, Dr. Ismailia Ahmed Baba, and Mr. Chinedu Ogah.
