Agip, Lasukugbene hosts in Bayelsa biker, disagree on spill response
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The People of Lasukugbene Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have disagreed with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in response to oil spill incident which allegedly polluted the area.
While the community berated NAOC for insensitivity and negligence for six weeks after two major oil spills occurred in the Community from the Tebidaba-Brass Trunk pipeline, NAOC claims its response was hampered by the community.
Environmentalists who visited the spill site on Monday noticed widespread pollution of the impacted area which is yet to be cleaned up.
Mr. Zion Kiantei, a resident and Mr. Valiant Jackson Secretary of the community, said that the Lasukugbene community has not benefited from the oil company since it started operations in the area in 1974.
They regretted that in spite of the dearth of benefits from oil exploration, frequent oil spills have destroyed the ecosystem and crippled their fishing and farming vocations.
The environmentalists urged the the Bayelsa and Federal Governments to sanction the operator of the facility for negligence over the two oil spills that occurred in Lasukugbene community along the Tebidaba-Brass Trunkline.
The environmental rights group consists of the Environmental Right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) and Home of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF).
The team was led by Mr Alagoa Morris, Head of Bayelsa Field Operations at ERA/FoEN.
Alagoa described the oil leak as a major spill and berated Agip for failing on its part to carry out routine checks on its facilities leading to the spills.
Morris also blamed the regulatory agencies for failing in its duties to regulate the oil companies, calling for relief materials to be sent to the people of Lasukugbene to cushion the effects and immediate cleanup and remediation.
On its part, Eni, the Italian parent company to NAOC in a statement by a Spokesman said the oil firm acted promptly in response to the incident but regretted that denial of access to the spill site delayed its response.
“We confirm that there was a leak reported on 05/03/2021 along the Tebidaba-Brass 18’ pipeline, located in the Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State.
“The company acted promptly following this report and the pipeline was shut-in, while all containment / environmental protection measures were put in place.
“Unfortunately, the repair of the pipeline and the joint investigation was hindered by neighbouring local communities.
“The leak was repaired on 21st March once the comTEXT was granted access.
“The disruption of intervention was reported to the appropriate regulatory agencies,” Eni stated.
