30 January 2015, Yenagoa —Kalaba community, one of the six communities of Okordia clan in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has again been hit by oil spill from a Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC, facility.
Though the cause of the spill, which was noticed two weeks ago, could not be immediately ascertained, sources told Vanguard that the community also suffered similar fate last September, when it recorded two spills within three weeks.
The management of Agip, the source added, had been informed of the spill but the company has not been able to contain it.
“We informed some management and staff of Agip when the spill was noticed and pleaded with the company to promptly mobilize to site for clamping before more harm is done. Even though Agip responded that information had been received earlier about the spill, it was surprising that Agip failed to take any positive remedial action until the spill point increased and crude oil spewed into the environment,” the source lamented.
Paramount ruler of the community, Chief Roman Orukali, who spoke to ERA team led by Morris Alagoa, yesterday, lamented the spill, describing it as unfortunate.
He said: “The spill occurred on January 12, and Agip was promptly informed same day. The company came to see the spill point the next day, January 13, but it is surprising to see that Agip has failed to return and stop the spill while crude oil has continued to spread in the environment.
“Agip should know that the environment is our life, health and wealth. In this regard, I wish to urge Agip to help us protect our environment by stopping the spill and carrying our immediate clean-up. This, the company should do to ensure a safe environment for our people.”
Also, the community youth president, Samuel Oburu, while lamenting the effect of the spill on the environment, called on Agip to mobilise its men to site and make necessary repairs so as to stop further spread of crude oil and related pollution in the environment.
Disturbed by the impact of the spill on the environment, ERA Field Coordinator in Bayelsa State, Alagoa Morris, has urged the company to take immediate steps to stop the spill by going to site and effect clamping after JIV and commence immediate clean up of the impacted environment.
– Vanguard