Rivers Oil Spill : Reps Call For Clean-up, Relief Measures

The House of Representatives Committee on Environment has called for immediate clean-up efforts and relief measures in communities affected by a devastating oil spill and fire incident in Rivers State.

The Chairman, Julius Pondi at the hearing in Abuja on a petition against the activities of NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL and NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited, NEOL, to provide urgent relief materials to the affected communities.

The incident, which occurred at Well 8, Buguma, Degema Local Government Area, has left communities struggling to access basic necessities like safe drinking water, medical care, and food.

The lawmakers granted a three-week extension to NNPCL and NEOL to provide necessary information and appear before the Committee, but emphasized the need for swift action to address the crisis.

The oil spill and fire incident have resulted in significant environmental damage, including air pollution, contamination of water bodies and farmland, and loss of biodiversity.

The Committee’s resolution follows a hearing that included testimonies from representatives of the affected communities, as well as officials from NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji