The maiden edition of Environmental Performance Award Ceremony (EPAC) for the oil and gas industry in Nigeria has been described as not just accolades for past achievements by industry operators but a call for actions to critical stakeholders to consciously manage the environment and its ecosystem in the interest of future generations, apart from renewing commitment to environmental excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Making this declaration in his welcome address during the award ceremony held on Thursday in Abuja by National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in collaboration with Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN)– a non-governmental organization that works to promote human rights, including the right to a healthy environment, especially in communities hosting extractive industries– the Director General/ Chief Executive (DG/CE) of NOSDRA, Idris O. Musa, said the event was conceived to highlight and reward those who have taken bold steps to addressing environmental challenges and showcasing the significant progress that could be achieved when commitment was made to responsible practices.
The DG/CE also emphasized that the maiden EPAC for the oil and gas industry was a reflection of the understanding of the path to environmental sustainability in the industry and the need to work together by the critical stakeholders, including oil and gas companies, regulatory bodies, local communities and international partners.
According to Musa, “by sharing best practices, leveraging new technologies and engaging in open dialogue, we can drive the transformative change needed to secure a sustainable future for the oil and gas industry and Nigeria”.
On the award ceremony, he informed that a total of 73 companies were identified and assessed from 2022-2023, using 14 sub-variables under six key performance indicators, namely the inventory of spill response equipment stockpile as a function of preparedness for response, submission of incident reporting forms, ratio of the number of joint investigation visits (JIVs) conducted to oil spill incidents, Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) Submission/Drill activation, Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map Procurement and Operational Spills.
The DG/CE mentioned the four major award categories as the ones of Best Environment Performance for both the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Local Oil Companies (LOCs) and Most Environmentally friendly state, apart from the award for the 2019 and 2020 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) as carried out by Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN).
Musa hoped that together, stakeholders could set a global standard for environmental stewardship in the oil and gas sector by creating a legacy that all could be proud of.
While acknowledging that the presence of stakeholders in the EPAC was a powerful statement of their dedication to a sustainable future, he looked forward to celebrating their achievements and working alongside each of them as committed to achieving the assigned deliverables for Federal Ministry of Environment for the period 2023-2027, as contained in the Ministerial Performance Bond in line with Eight (8)- point Areas of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a keynote address by the Honourable Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, while commending NOSDRA and SDN for organizing the award ceremony for the petroleum industry, he opined that the event was a clear demonstration of the governance approach of the present administration to promote inclusivity, excellence and robust private sector participation for the socio-economic development of the country.
The minister particularly gave a pat on the back of the agency for diligent and effective environmental regulation of the oil and gas companies to ensure the benefits of the industry were balanced against the need to protect the environment, maintain public health and contribute to national development on a sustainable basis.
Salako averred that the event was in furtherance of delivering the mandate of NOSDRA, adding that it served as a multifaceted tool aimed at driving change, promoting sustainability and acknowledging those who led by example.
Speaker after speaker at the event, including those from the petroleum industry and Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), took time in their goodwill messages to salute the effort of NOSDRA for this first of its kind initiative directed at encouraging the promotion of environmental conservation in the nation’s critical oil and gas sector.
In her message, Florence Ibok-Abasi, the Country Director of SDN, noted that the collaborative efforts of her NGO – which partly promotes environmental safety and livelihoods in communities impacted by extractive industries – and NOSDRA spanned over a decade.
In her words: “Through that collaboration, we were able to support the agency with valuable technical tools such as the Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor and the Nigerian Gas Flare Tracker, which are being used for oil and gas pollution tracking and reporting respectively”.
She further stated that at the moment, the two bodies were building the first-ever prototype methane tracker that will utilize satellite technologies to track methane emissions in the petroleum industry.
According to her, “Our reason for this initiative is to encourage improved environmental performance in the industry, believing that it will help to drive reduced oil and gas pollution and thus a cleaner environment, especially in the Niger Delta.”
In his remarks on the occasion, the Chairman on the Senate Committee on Environment, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Yunusa Akintunde, while congratulating NOSDRA and SDN for hosting the award ceremony, apart from the awardees for their recognition, urged the agency, petroleum industry operators and the host communities to be at liberty to consult his committee for any challenges facing them for resolution in the interest of environmental sustainability.
In the category of the Best Environmental Performance among IOCs, Total Energies, Chevron Nigeria Ltd and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) emerged first, second and third positions respectively, while for the LOCs, Oriental Energy Resources Ltd, Belema Oil Producing Ltd and Platform Petroleum Ltd won the award for the same performance in hierarchical order.
The awards for the 2019 and 2020 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) went to Moni Pulo Ltd and Consolidated Oil Ltd.
On the Most Environment-friendly State, Akwa Ibom State emerged as the winner on account of its spectacular record of witnessing low incidence of vandalisation of oil facilities and artisanal refineries blamed for significantly contributing to environmental pollution.
In their remarks, the award recipients, while expressing profound appreciations for their recognition, gave kudos to NOSDRA for unrelenting and effective regulation of the petroleum industry in the country and pledged to upscale their commitment towards environmental friendliness.
MAY I BE PERMITTED TO STAND ON EXISTING PROTOCOLS,
On behalf of the Director General, of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), it is with immense pride and gratitude that I stand before you to conclude today’s celebration of excellence in sustainable development. This event marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious oil and gas industry in Nigeria. We thank the Minister of State for his support and commitment to issues of the Environment. We also thank both chambers for their continued support.
Today, we have recognized the remarkable efforts of organizations that are leading the way in environmental stewardship. Your commitment and innovative approaches are not just commendable, they are critical to our shared goal of reducing the environmental impact of our industry and ensuring the well-being of our communities and ecosystems.
The contributions and the stories of achievement we have heard are testament to the progress we are making. However, they also serve as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. As we move forward, let us keep the momentum of today’s achievements as a beacon of what is possible through commitment, collaboration, and innovation.
NOSDRA is committed to continuing its support for sustainable practices and stringent environmental oversight. Together, with your ongoing engagement and dedication, we can achieve even greater advancements and ensure that the oil and gas sector contributes positively to our nation’s economy without compromising our environmental responsibilities.
To all deserving honorees, we say congratulations. And to all participants, particularly the Awards committee members (who brainstormed on the KPIs and painstakingly applied same- I cannot thank you enough for your dedication and hard work over the months). To SDN, our partners in this environmental sustainability journey, we say a big thank you.
I say thank you to each, and every one of you, for your unwavering commitment to sustainability and for making this event a success. The journey ahead may be long and challenging, but together, I am confident that we can build a brighter, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Finally, let us depart from here with renewed vigor and a resolve to not only meet but exceed, the environmental standards that our future generations deserve.
Safe travels and God Bless.
