Oil Spill: PPDF calls for Immediate Clean-up of Ibeno
Peace Point Development Foundation, a Non-governmental organization working towards bringing succor to indigent people of Nigeria affected by negative environmental injustice, human right abuses and other social related issues has called on the operator responsible for the oil spill in Ibeno waters to immediately commence clean up.
Massive oil spill was first observed within the Qua Iboe River and its environs in the early hours of Friday, August 16, 2024.
However, since the spill occurred no oil company has accepted responsibility. Yet, the companies that operate and have facilities within the area include Mobil Producing Nigeria with its four assets of OML 67, 68, 70, 104, Network Exploration on OML 13, Universal Energy Resources Limited on OML 14.
In a statement signed by the Coordinator of Peace Point Development Foundation, Comrade Umo Isua-ikoh he said that it is very disturbing and disappointing that five days after the spill, no company has come out to take responsibility for the spill.
He said that it is expected that companies operating in this area should have been socially and environmentally responsible by adhering to the provisions Section 2 (2) of the Oil Spill Clean Up, Remediation and Damage Assessment Regulations 2011 where the operator on onshore or offshore facility is required to use aerial observation which includes aerial reconnaissance or surveillance in determining the location and scale of an oil spill.
Isua-Ikoh said failure to utilize this method five days after the spill is a clear tact to avoid responsibility of clean up and compensation.
The Coordinator said the analysis of NOSDRA ‘s Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor gives a clear indication on the trajectory of oil spill in the area and points to the possible company that may be responsible for the oil spill.
The statement read ” Analysis of data from the Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor shows that in the last 11 months excluding the recent one, 13 oil spills have taken place in this area. Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) has been responsible for 11 oil spills basically due to what is reported as operational/maintenance error, corrosion and equipment failure while Universal Energy Resources Limited (UERL) has been responsible for one and one other spill with the source unknown.
“The date of the reported spills by MPN as shown on the oil spill monitor portal are 8/10, 2023, 12/12/2023, 29/12/2023, 20/1/2024, 8/4/2024, 21/4/2024, 22/5/2024, 26/5/ 2024, 21/6/2024, 25/7/ 2024, 7/8/2024. For UERL- 16/2/2024 and 1/1/2024 by a Yet to be identified Source.
“We are giving this date and numbers of spills to show a trajectory of spills that have taken place but most times go unreported in the media. These frequent spills have not only destroyed the environment but have handicapped the livelihood of these communities affected.
“Further delay in the responsible company taking responsibility for cleaning up will further exacerbate the condition of these communities and this is totally condemned “.
The statement while commending the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency for promptly taking samples of the oil for investigations to identify the spiller coupled with the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Chukwuemeka Nwoke visiting the community, PPDF called on the Agency not to delay further in its report to identify the company that spilled the oil for immediate clean up to commence.