Nembe community asks FG to support oil spill victims

Federal regulatory agencies are not doing enough to assuage the sufferings of victims of Nembe oil spillage in Bayelsa State, the paramount ruler of Opu-Nembe Kingdom, King Biobelemoye Josiah, Ogbodo VIII, has declared.

A statement, signed by the paramount ruler, asked agencies to show more concern for the wellbeing of the people as well as reduce their sufferings.

However, the king lauded the governor of the state, Senator Douye Diri, for setting up a committee aimed at assessing the extent and effect of oil spill in the community.

The king expressed appreciation of the community to the governor for condemning the non-stoppage of spills, continued destruction of the environment and loss of livelihood.

He said: “We put on record, the empathy shown by Your Excellency, in providing immediate cushioning financial support to all segments of the kingdom during your visit. We further commend you for immediately directing your deputy to set up an assessment committee on Nembe oil spillage.”

He urged the governor to request the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to distribute relief materials to communities affected by the spill.

MEANWHILE, indigenes of Opu-Nembe and other communities, yesterday, protested the failure of Aiteo or government to stop the spill 31days after it started.

Addressing the press, the President of NSC, Prof. Monday Godwin-Egein, said the group was deeply concerned that over a month after the incident at Worikumakiri, the OML 29 was still spewing out crude oil and gas into rivers and creeks unabated.

He said, “This is arguably the biggest oil spill disaster in the history of oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Nigeria.”

The congress advised the people living at various fishing and settlements around the spill site to immediately relocate to safer locations in view of the health implications.

They demand, among other things, that relevant government agencies compel Aiteo to ensure stoppage of the spill and begin comprehensive clean up operations in compliance with global best practices.