Nigeria, Cameroon undertake oil spill communication exercise

Nigeria and Cameroon yesterday simultaneously commenced a two- day bilateral exercise aimed at testing lines of communication between both countries in the event of an oil spill.

The exercise which is a key innovative feature introduced to enable oil spill detection and response is part of public/private partnerships aimed at ensuring an effective oil spill management on the continent.

Peter Idabor, Director General, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) said the outcome of the exercise would further strengthen the capability of the country in oil spill management.

Idabor recalled that the Global Initiative of West, Central and Southern Africa, (GIWACAF) which has 22 members States at its meeting in Namibia in 2003 encouraged neighbouring countries to commence the testing of communication between them in a bid to achieve speedy oil spills management whenever it occurs.

Commenting on the measures put in place to curtail oil spills in the country, he noted that: "The companies that are affected in those areas are here today and we are trying to ask questions like what if it happens, what to do."