Tracy Ohovwore, Benin City
In a swift response to the oil spill in Obolo, Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF), a Civil Society Organisation, has called on Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited to stop the ongoing oil spill in Eastern Obolo local government.
In a press statement signed by the Coordinator of Peace Point Development Foundation, Comrade Umo Isua-Ikoh after the organisation’s on-the-spot visit to the communities affected by the spill; Emere-Oke and Akpabom communities, demanded Sterling Oil to immediately stop the spill, clean up the mangroves of the affected communities and the Atlantic Ocean which the spill has flowed into.
The statement noted that ” After receiving information from the affected communities that an oil spill has been going on within communities in Eastern Obolo for months now due to oil exploration and production activities by Sterling Oil, we visited the communities and had seen that a large part of the mangrove at Akpabom community has been devastated by oil.
” At Emere-Oke community, we have also seen where the oil spills from the Durga 4 oil rig into the Atlantic Ocean. This is an unacceptable development as the aquatic environment will be deeply Polluted. As reported by the community, this situation has been going on for months, and we are deeply concerned that no action has been taken to address the spill. We are very worried about the impact this will have on aquatic lives and the environment “.
Isua-Ikoh also disclosed that few months ago, series of allegations were laid against Sterling oil by the government of Akwa Ibom State for violating the terms of land grants and unlawful encroachment beyond its legally assigned portion in Eastern Obolo and surrounding communities.
While calling on Sterling Oil to immediately stop the spill, clean up the environment, and compensate the communities for the destruction of their environment, the organisation called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to investigate the spill and the level of destruction caused and thus take actions in accordance with its mandate.
The Organisation also called on the attention of the Akwa Ibom state Government to be more sensitive and concerned over the operations of companies within the State through adequate monitoring, thus protecting the environment, livelihood and health of its people.
