Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, has called on the National Emergency Management Agency, the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency, and the Ijaw National Congress, to intervene by providing relief materials to victims of OML63 oil spills incident in the state.
Recall that since on the 3rd of February 2022, two spill incidents have rocked the Tebidaba/Brass Trunk Line operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Lasukugbene community, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, devastating the creeks and rendering the fishing population jobless.
The spills which are suspected to have been caused by corrosion, due to the 6 O’clock position of the leak point, was only clamped by Agip on 18th of March 2022, more than five weeks after the spill began.
Reacting on the development, ERA said the need for the IYC, NEMA and others to intervene in ameliorating the plight of the impacted communities was imperative, in order for them to play the roles expected of them.
Project Officer and Head Niger Delta Resource Centre, ERA, Mr. Alagoa Morris, said Aiteo did not wait until the Santa Barbara Well-1 spill stopped before visiting Nembe with relief materials, and wondered why Agip has refused to identify with the impacted community.
Morris also charged the Federal Government to extend the UNEP recommended cleanup in Ogoni to other impacted environment of the Niger Delta.
“There is need for the National Emergency Management Agency, and State Emergency Management Agency to visit impacted communities and save lives. The people have been denied of their means of livelihood; they need food and medical attention..
“The industry regulators should rise to the occasion and ensure proper cleanup and remediation are carried out by NAOC. The usual practice of not revisiting spill impacted sites to confirm the needful should be a thing of the past. Leaving impacted communities and victims alone to contend with polluting oil companies is not desirable of regulators.
“Adequate compensation for specific and general damages should be paid to all affected individuals and communities.
“The Ijaw National Congress, INC; Ijaw Youths Council, IYC; NEMA and SEMA should rise up to the occasion, playing roles expected on them.”
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