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Bayelsa community records another oil spill

By Willie Etim (Yenagoa)
29 January 2015   |   2:39 pm
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 ascertained but a community source told The…

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 ascertained but a community source told The Guardian that the  same  community suffered similar fate last September when it recorded two cases within the space of three weeks.

The management of Agip, the source added, had been informed of the spill but the company was yet to contain it.

“We  informed some management and staff of Agip when the spill was noticed and pleaded that the company take advantage of the scenario and promptly mobilize to site for clamping before more harm was done. Even though Agip responded that the information was earlier received, about the spill; it was surprising to observe that Agip failed to take any positive remedial action until the spill point increased and crude oil spewed into the environment,” he lamented.

The paramount ruler of the community, Chief Roman Orukali, who spoke to ERA team led by Morris Alagoa lamented the spill describing it as most unfortunate.

“The spill occurred on the 12th of January, 2015 and Agip was promptly informed same day. The company came to see the spill point the next day, being 13th January, 2015. But, it is surprising to see that Agip has failed to return and stop the spill until crude oil has now 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 coming to stop the spill and carry 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 their 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, urged the company to take immediate steps to stop the spill by going to site and effect clamping after JIV commence immediate clean up of the impacted environment.

Morris, who called on the security agencies should try and do follow-ups with intensive investigation with a view to apprehend and prosecute real culprits also urged both the government and oil companies to channel resources toward sensitization of communities on the dangers inherent in such acts relating to third party spills.

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