The chairman Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Bukola Saraki has blamed Nigeria’s lax legislation and negligence for the high rate of oil spills in the country.
Speaking at a parley with members of civil society organizations, Senator Saraki observed that Nigeria would not make progress in curbing oil spill unless we change the law on oil spill management in the country.
Senator Bukola Saraki says he is seeking the amendment of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Act which would help rein in the unwholesome environmental practices that has made oil spill incessant in the Niger-delta.
The bill, which has passed second reading in the senate, proposes instruments to make it harder for oil companies responsible for pollutions to dodge their responsibility by compelling them to pay compensation to communities affected by the impact of oil spill.
The Senator seeks a law that will impose more stiffer penalties on oil spillage, this he claims will serve as a needed check to curb oil spillage in the country, as the N1 million fine is not commensurate with and can’t curb oil spillage in the country.
The 2006 Act establishing the NOSDRA specifies that it would among other things ensure compliance of oil companies with Nigeria Environmental legislation and exert penalties of N1million fine when there is a default or spillage.
