By Sylvanus OBASI
Although Nigeria is one of the world’s leading oil producers, producing approximately 1.1 million barrels at low and above 2 million barrels of crude oil per day at high periods. While this production contributes significantly to the nation’s economy, it has also led to severe environmental challenges, particularly related to oil spills, ship detection, transshipment and marine pollution.
Oil spillage, which has adversely impacted Nigeria’s coastal and marine environments, requires robust monitoring and rapid response systems to mitigate the resulting ecological damage.
It is in response to these challenges that the Nigerian Institute For Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Nigeria’s leading marine research institution, and MarCNoWA, a consortium under the GMES framework at the University of Ghana, have partnered to converge key Nigerian stakeholders in Lagos for a 3 Day workshop designed to share advanced tools and practices for oil spill and ship detection using Earth Observation (EO) resources, facilitated by MarCNoWA’s Web Portal tool.
PLATFORM REPORTERS gathered that the 3 days workshop which held in Victoria Island, Lagos between 19th to 21st November 2024 fetaured a syndicate session on the last day where participants were divided into 3 syndicate groups to suggest ways of curbing the impacts of oil spillage in Nigeria in order to enable the organisers prepare a Communique that would be presented to the relevant agencies of government for proper action plan.
Speaking during the Opening Ceremony of the Workshop on Tuesday, the Executive Director of NIOMR, Prof Abiodun Sule said the collaboration between NIOMR and MARCNOWA aimed to strengthen capacity for real-time monitoring, response, and environmental protection across Nigeria’s marine zones.
Picture showing presentation of certificate of participation to one of the participants at the workshop in Lagos
According to Prof Sule, “The objectives are to enhance stakeholders’ understanding of the environmental impacts of oil production and promote effective oil spill and ship detection practices in Nigeria; demonstrate MarCNoWA’s Web Portal tool for monitoring oil spills and ship detection, offering hands-on sessions for participants; as well as build stakeholders’ capacity through specialized training sessions aimed at equipping participants with practical skills for environmental monitoring and response”.
Speaking further, the Marine Research expert, hinted that at the end of the program, it was expected that there would be an improved knowledge and skill set among stakeholders for oil spill detection, ship monitoring, and rapid response. Improved knowledge of MarCNoWA’s Web Portal tool for real-time environmental monitoring. Established networks and partnerships among Nigerian stakeholders in marine environmental monitoring and protection as well as development of a framework for ongoing training and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.
Group Picture of dignitaries during the opening session at the workshop in Lagos
Earlier in his Keynote Address, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola who was represented by Dr Patcy Obatola, Director of Research, NIOMR said that government would need data, suggestions and recommendations from the workshop to formulate policies that would ensure adequate production of oil activities in Nigeria without ecological damages.
Meanwhile, our correspondent further gathered that relevant government agencies and stakeholders such as Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Navy; Ministry of Environment; Oil and Gas Companies, NGOs specializing in marine protection and environmental monitoring; Academic and Research Institutions as well as Media representatives focusing on environmental issues participated in the program.
Picture of one of the syndicate groups during interactive session at the workshop in Lagos
Some of the participants who spoke to our correspondent after the program, described the workshop as insightful, educative and inspiring, expressing their joy for being part of the training.
Certificate of participation was also presented to all participants at the end of the workshop.
