By Nwaorgu Faustinus

The Director General and CEO of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Engineer Chukwuemeka Woke has put oil companies on notice, tasking them to comply with environmental regulations or face the full force of the law.

Speaking during a familiarization visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal headquarters in Rivers State on Monday, Woke, while reacting to some of the challenges faced by the Agency in the Zone said as an agency established by Act of law, NOSDRA represents the Federal Government and has a sacred mandate to regulate the oil industry's environmental impact and will not tolerate any form of non-compliance or disregard for regulations.

He added that no oil company is above the law, saying: "We will hold every operator accountable for their actions, and ensure that they adhere to the strictest standards of environmental responsibility."

He assured that his leadership will not be compromised by vested interests or industry pressure, or be cowed, saying he is committed to upholding the law and ensuring that all oil industry operators, including International Oil Companies (IOCs), comply with NOSDRA's regulations.

He said: "Having said that, let me address the issue raised by the head of the NOSDRA reference laboratory, I want to assure you that I am not the kind of DG that any oil company would take for a ride.

"Any oil industry, be it IOCs, or anybody must comply with the regulations of NOSDRA. NOSDRA is not just a private company but an establishment by an Act of law and so we represent the Federal Government and we are to regulate the operations of the oil industry as it relates to oil and gas pollution and spillage and so nobody, no oil company is above the law.

"If they want to think they can reach me, I am not the type of DG that they would reach. So let the message go very clearly now, we must do the needful, they must grant you access to take samples and we must get the results. Be rest assured that you are protected as long as you are committed to your work."

The DG also addressed the staff of the agency and assured them of his commitment to taking the agency to the next level. Engineer Woke was conducted around the office by the Zonal Director, Engineer Ime Ekanem and the head of the NOSDRA reference laboratory, Dr Kenneth Aroh where he visited the Analytical Session Lab; Microbiological lab, Ecotoxicology lab and the Web-Chemistry lab.

He expressed gratitude to the staff for their dedication to work and promised improvements in equipment and staff welfare. "I have come to see things for myself, and I assure you that there will be improvements," he said. "But I need your commitment to work because your productivity output is what I will be appraised with at the Ministry of Environment."

Engineer Woke emphasized that he is the one who will appraise staff performance and determine promotions. "When you come for your promotion exams, I am the one who will say yes or no," he stated. He also reminded staff that outside the agency, he is not the boss, but the Minister of Environment is, saying: "So, it is your work that will speak for me," he added.

Engineer Woke concluded by saying that his "real brothers" are those who are committed to their work, and he looks forward to seeing their productivity. This visit marks Engineer Woke's first visit to any Zonal office since assuming office, and he chose Port Harcourt, his constituency, as his first.