Mr. Gimba Mohammad, the Director of Government Relations and External Affairs at IHS Nigeria, made an important appeal on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, during a courtesy visit to Mr. Chukwuemeka Woke, the Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) in Abuja.
IHS Nigeria Limited specializes in deploying telecommunications infrastructure and managing post-construction services for customers worldwide. During his visit, Mohammad raised concerns about environmental pollution in various areas, including Abuja and several states, and emphasized the need for NOSDRA’s swift intervention.
He highlighted several pending environmental complaints, particularly regarding pollution in the Saka Alapa Aro Community in Osogbo, Osun State; Oke-Agba in Akure, Ondo State; and Lingo Estate in Lokogoma, Abuja. These issues are often linked to oil spills caused by vandalism and theft, which require urgent attention.
Mohammad underscored IHS’s role as a key telecommunications provider, operating thousands of telecom towers across Nigeria that rely on diesel-powered generators. He acknowledged the risks of spillage and environmental contamination associated with these operations and sought a continued partnership with NOSDRA for regulatory training and guidance.
He stated, “While completely eliminating spills may not be possible, NOSDRA should empower IHS to manage spill incidents effectively with the right tools.” He reiterated the company’s commitment to environmental compliance and sustainability.
In response, NOSDRA’s Director-General, Chukwuemeka Woke, commended IHS for promptly reporting the pollution allegations. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure safety and compliance with spill detection regulations. “This proactive approach is commendable. Continuous partnership with NOSDRA will equip IHS with the necessary skills to manage oil spills on-site effectively,” he remarked.
Woke pledged to investigate the reported environmental pollution and reaffirmed NOSDRA’s commitment to support IHS by providing training for site managers on spill prevention and management. He also called for timely remediation of spill-impacted sites in line with NOSDRA’s regulatory guidelines.
Mr. Irvine Obot, Deputy Director and Head of Special Duties at NOSDRA, praised the ongoing collaboration between NOSDRA and IHS. He noted that the agency has been actively engaged with IHS since 2022 regarding oil spill incidents connected to its operations. He mentioned that NOSDRA has conducted site assessments and initiated necessary remediation actions to ensure environmental compliance and conservation, a process that will continue.
