Victor EzejaNigeria’s Senate has condemned the oil spillage from an oil well operated by AITEO Eastern Exploration and Production Company in Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of the Bayelsa State.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, urged the Federal Government to sanction AITEO and all other indigenous oil companies that are involved in oil exploration activities that cause environmental disaster in host communities they operate.
Lawan made the call when the Senate deliberated on a motion sponsored by Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo on the “extremely urgent need to stop the continuous crude oil and gas blow out spill at Santa Barbara well 1, OML 29” operated by AITEO in Opu Nembe community.
He urged the companies to practice corporate social responsibility in their host communities under the law.
Senator Biobarakuma representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District brought the matter to the floor of the upper chamber under order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules
He stated that oil and gas are continuously spilling from the oil well at Santa Barbara OML 29 operated by AITEO into the waterways and mangrove vegetation of the Nembe community, destroying the environment and affecting health of the people.
Biobarakuma said, “We are worried that even though same oil well has witnessed several oil spills in previous years, the current incident borders on catastrophe due to a long period of accumulated oil and maximum pressure from piled up gas in the well. The magnitude of this incident is of an extremely high order, the first of its kind in this part of the world.
“The entire mangrove forests and aquatic life have been adversely affected by this methane gas, as rainbow-like sheens are seen on the water body around the point of the incident down to the shoreline.
“We are disturbed that dead fishes are also seen floating within the impacted area and fishing activities totally crippled, with the direction of the wind blowing onshore towards the community from the point of the incident.”
The lawmaker noted that at the just concluded global Climate Conference (COP26) held in Glasgow, Scotland, world leaders deliberated on the need for countries to implement international best practices in reducing emissions of hydrocarbons that affect the ecosystem, the Nigerian Government through the President made positive contributions towards the global climate action.
Biobarakuma said they are also worried that attempts to stop the continuous oil and gas spill by the operators had failed repeatedly for over one month, adding that over two million barrels of oil and gas has been wasted, which is a reflection of the technical incompetence of the company in handling the incident.
“Such degree of incompetence is sufficient to attract sanctions such as revocation of their operational license by the regulatory authorities to instill sanity in the oil and gas sector in response to the increased global call for protection of the environment.
“With deep concern the threat that this incident poses to the health of the people of the host communities as the air and water have been contaminated, and also the possibility of a fire outbreak from the oil well if this wanton release of oil and methane gas continues unstopped” The lawmaker stated.
He advised that while indigenous companies take opportunities of the ongoing divestment by International Oil Companies (IOCs) to invest in the oil and gas industry, there should be conscious effort to ensure that only companies with “proven requisite technical and financial competence” are allowed to take up such opportunities.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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