By Hugo Idiogor
National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, has imposed a fine of N1million on Nigeria Agip Company Ltd, NAOC, over failure to immediately contain, recover and clean-up oil spill impacted sites at its OB/OB Gas Plant in Obrikom Omoku, Rivers State.

Director-General/Chief Executive of NOSDRA, Sir Peter Idabor, in a letter to Agip conveying the fine over the incident, said the action of the company was in contravention of section 6(3) of the NOSDRA Act.

While directing Agip to mobilise to the impacted site already destroyed by inferno resulting from the oil spill for immediate clean-up and remediation to prevent further degradation of the environment, Idabor notified the company of the issue of compensation to the victims of the oil spill which will be determined by the outcome of the damage assessment to be conducted by NOSDRA.

The letter, which directed Agip to pay the N1 million fine into the account of NOSDRA within 14 days from the date of receipt, advised the company to act upon it with all seriousness and the highest ethical standard expected of an establishment of repute.