A’Ibom residents lament oil, gas explosion at BOGEL facility

Ini Billie, Uyo

Residents of Urua Essien Etuk village in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State have lamented the loss of their livelihood over the gas explosion from the facility of British Oil and Gas Exploration Limited (BOGEL).

It was gathered that the gas explosion which happened last week polluted the farmlands; the stream/river which is the main source of livelihood for the people, besides injuring many of them.

The village head of Urua Essien Etuk, Eteidung Godwin George who spoke with our correspondent on Monday in Uyo on the incident, said the gas explosion has caused serious health challenges to the people.

Eteidung George explained that BOGEL has violated the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC/DPR) standards and policies of waste management as a result of the explosion and caused the destruction of aquatic lives and human health.

He called on Governor Umo Eno to intervene, saying BOGEL has ignored and neglected the community over the incident.

“I am currently suffering from cancer of the leg through, an open wound which contacted cancerous virus from the village stream/river that BOGEL dumped without considering the side effects to the people.

“I beg our governor, Mr Umo Emo to urgently intervene in the matter before we die. I want the local government and the state to help us and call BOGEL to order because our situation is unbearable,” he lamented.

On their part, the youth leader and the women leader of the community, Mr Udeme Love Lawrence and Mrs Uduak Aniefiok Udoh said the explosion rendered many residents homeless and frustrated.