1 day Ago By Guardian Nigeria
Maritime leaders, policymakers and environmental stakeholders have underscored the need for satellite technology in addressing marine pollution, oil spill detection, marine biodiversity protection and ensuring sustainable shipping across Africa. They also stressed the urgent need for a robust local, national and regional framework to monitor and mitigate oil pollution and other marine wastes, stressing that preserving Africa’s maritime ecosystems requires collaboration, innovation and stringent enforcement of environmental laws. The call was made yesterday at the opening of a three-day workshop in Lagos themed ‘Leveraging Earth Observation (EO) for Oil Spill, Transshipment and Ship Detection’.
Organised by the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) in collaboration with Marine and Coastal Areas Management for Both West and Central Africa (MarCNoWA) and Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) in Africa, the event gathered experts to chart a path for preserving Africa’s maritime environment. President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Captain Tajudeen Alao, emphasised the unparalleled precision of Earth Observation (EO) satellites, noting that these technologies allow operators to map oil spills and maritime pollution with accuracy, ensuring rapid response and effective containment. “Satellites provide better accuracy compared to human or drone surveillance.
They enable swift mapping of oil spills and monitoring of pollution movement, making them indispensable tools for environmental protection and sustainable shipping,” Alao said. He stressed the economic consequences of oil spills, highlighting their impact on fisheries, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities. Drawing from Ghana’s advanced policies, he urged Nigeria to adopt stricter measures, including hefty fines and license revocations for offenders.
“Polluters must pay. The cost of cleaning up pollution is enormous. International mechanisms like the IMO and the IOPC fund should be leveraged to support cleanup efforts and compensate affected communities,” Alao added.
The Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Science at the University of Ghana, Prof. Sandow Yidana, shared insights into Ghana’s stringent environmental policies. He noted that companies must sign environmental protection agreements before commencing operations, with violations attracting multimillion-dollar sanctions or license revocation.
Yidana said Ghana’s proactive approach, informed by lessons from Nigeria’s Niger Delta, also includes active civil society organisations and a vibrant media holding companies and government accountable. Yidana emphasised the importance of satellite technology in real-time mapping and tracking of oil spills and marine pollution, urging Nigeria to adopt similar measures as Ghana to enhance accountability and transparency. Speaking earlier, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of NIOMR, Prof.
Sule Abiodun, called for regional cooperation and investment in advanced technologies to safeguard Nigeria’s marine environment. He highlighted the risks posed by oil production and maritime activities, noting the need for a comprehensive national contingency plan..
