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Oil Spillage: FG Set To Apply Stiffer Penalties Against Multinational Companies In Niger Delta

Published

4 years ago

November 25, 2021

Following environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region, there are indications that the Federal Government may be mulling stiffer punishments against some multinational companies involved in oil spillage in the country.

Sharon Ikeazor, the Minister of Environment, gave the hint at the weekly ministerial press briefing organized by the presidential media team on Thursday at the presidential villa, Abuja.

According to Ikeazor, talks are ongoing between the ministry and other relevant government agencies to achieve this.

She explained that a bill is being worked out to modify the law establishing the National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to build its capacity and give it “the needed teeth to bite.”

Ikeazor said, “We need to put stiffer penalties, build the capacity of NOSDRA, which is the regulatory agency in the oil sector, to be able to have the teeth to bite.

“Without enhancing their capacity and reaffirming the legal framework, getting it stronger, they can’t do much. These are areas we’re looking into. It has to stop.

“Government is working on alternative livelihood for the communities so that we can move them away from illegal activities and further polluting of the environment.”

Ikeazor said the operating company of the OML29 in Nembe, Bayelsa State, had blamed the most recent oil spill in Nigeria on sabotage by the locals.

She, however, revealed that the Santa Barbara spillage had been brought under control after several weeks the incident occurred with necessary personnel and equipment deployed to begin recovery and remediation efforts.

The minister stressed the need to put an end to artisanal refineries, which she said had continued to cause pollution in the Niger Delta.

Ikeazor said, “On the Santa Babara ITO oil spills, you remember the ministry of environment issued a statement stating what happened and the action being taken.

“We are going to have a targeted approach to illegal bunkering, tampering with oil installation and artisanal mining in the Niger Delta to get an alternative livelihood for the young people of the Niger Delta, so that they would desist from this because it’s further polluting the environment.

“I got briefings through the director of NOSDRA, and what I saw in terms of the pollution either through oil refining or illegal oil refining and otherwise the devastation of the Niger Delta is massive. As we’re cleaning up, what we’re cleaning up is minute compared to the devastation going on.

“So, it’s something that the government needs to tackle headlong. I hope they would’ve put the picture on. It was like a Hiroshima site.

“We are beyond talking and having a workshop. On the issue of penalties, I mentioned earlier the review of the NOSDRA bill. You know most of the Acts we have passed years ago. You’ll see that they will give maybe an N100,000 fine. Anyone can pay that and go back and re-pollute.”

(DAILY POST)

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U.S. Lawmaker Reacts To Nigeria, U.S. Airstrikes

Published

18 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has stated that President Donald Trump is determined to put an end to the killing of Christians in Nigeria, warning that further action may follow if the violence persists.

Moore made the statement on Friday via his official X handle.

According to the lawmaker, the strike represents the first step in addressing what he described as the ongoing slaughter of Christians and the broader security crisis affecting Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines.

“President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end,” he said.

He that the administration’s resolve on the matter should not be underestimated.

“As I stated at the outset: Do not test President Trump‘s resolved in this matter.

“Tonight’s strike in coordination with the Nigerian government is just the first step to ending the slaughter of Christians and the security crisis affecting all Nigerians,” he said.

He stressed that the operation signals a stronger stance by the United States in support of Nigeria’s efforts to tackle terrorism and violent extremism, noting that further measures could be taken if the situation does not improve.

Headline

US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria

Published

18 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

A video footage of the US military air strikes in Nigeria has emerged.

The video was released by the US Department of War following its air strikes against terrorists in Sokoto.

Earlier, the US secretary of War, Pete Hegseth had confirmed that military air strikes hit terrorists in Nigerians, saying it was deadly.

Later on, the US. African Command, confirmed that it conducted the attacks described as very deadly by President Donald Trump.

Trump said he was only keeping the promise he made earlier last month to strike the terrorists he believes are killing innocent Christians.

Although described as powerful and deadly, the casualty caused by the attack is yet to be released.

Explaining further, security expert, Brant Philip, said the strikes may have been launched “from the USS Paul Ignatius, using a Tomahawk missile.”

The Nigerian government through its ministry of foreign affairs has also confirmed that the strikes were successful.

Watch video here

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JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria

Published

20 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

United States President Donald Trump said US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians.

“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, adding that “the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes.”

Trump stated that the Department of War “executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.”

The US president wished everyone Merry Christmas, “including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”

Details later.