From Arodiegwu Eziukwu (Yenogoa)
Aftermath of a deadly spill
Environmental Rights Action/Friends of Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has called for a prompt response to the ongoing oil spill in Ikenghenbiri, Southern Ijaw council area in Bayelsa.
The group has criticized the slow response of Italian oil firm Agip on the oil spill reported over one week ago.
ERA/FoEN an environment focused Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) made the demand in its field report on the spill incident.
The report issued in Yenagoa on Monday stated that oil leak reported from Agip’s Swamp Area oil field is still ongoing.
Mr Alagoa Morris,Head of ERA/FoEN’s Bayelsa office who signed the report urged the management of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to fix the leak and clean up the site.
The NGO further made case for the compensation of members of the fishing community impacted by the spill incident.
“A properly constituted Joint Investigation Visit is carried out to ascertain cause of spill, record related volume of spill, spread and damages and recommendations. The community should be given their copy of the signed JIV report for their own records.
“The relevant agencies of government: National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), State and Federal Ministries of Environment, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) should ensure compliance with existing environmental laws.
“Agip should also, pay compensation if found culpable; for general and specific damages.” ERA/FoEN said.
Mr Marshal Josiah, Chairman Ikenghenbiri Community Development Committee had told our correspondent that community was awaiting a joint investigative visit with officials of Agip to the spill site.
Josiah said the oil leakage from an underwater valve has been discharging into the environment since it was reported on September 16.
When contacted for comments on Agip’s response to the spill incident Mr Tajuden Adigun, a spokesman for NAOC declined comments; he directed further enquiries to the Managing Director of the oil firm in Abuja.
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