The federal government is to design a blueprint to guide oil exploration in the country in accordance with international environmental considerations.
Chairman of the board of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd) dropped the hint Monday in Abuja.
Anyanya told reporters shortly after his board’s inauguration that there was an urgent need to balance oil exploration with environmental factors.
“Over 90 percent of our revenue comes from oil. But then the exploration of this oil comes at a price we all pay regardless of where we live, or if we are involved in the oil industry,” noted Anyanya.
“For over 50 years, these exploration activities have been going on with a cost to the environment. This is why we say there has to be a blueprint on these activities,” he added.
The board chairman said the era of toying with the environment was over as recent global weather trends have clearly shown the devastation oil spills can cause the environment.
He described the environment as a heritage to be kept in trust for future generations, stressing “this is the time to act to save our future.”
Anyanya assured the agency’s Director-General, Sir Peter Idaboh, and his management of the cooperation of the new board, promising to interact and synergise with them.