Edith CHUKU
Dismayed by the devastating effect of persistent oil spillages in Idung Urom Isor, Obon Odor, Edim Idim and other neighbouring communities in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, the Member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Unyime Idem, has called for federal government immediate intervention.
Idem made this call through a motion of urgent public importance he presented on the floor of the house of representatives, where he lamented the sufferings of the host communities due to crude oil exploration activities.
He expressed worry that the decades of oil spillages have contaminated water sources, destroyed farmlands, killed acquatic life and subjected residents to economic hardship and health risk.
The rep member decried that the affected communities have suffered continuous oil spillages and environmental degradation since the 1970s due to crude oil exploration activities, which he said was initially carried out under Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13 operated by Shell BP, later reclassified as OML 051 and subsequently managed by different operators over time.
Part of the motion reads, “despite decades of oil exploration, these communities have never been recognized as oil-producing areas and have been denied the benefits, compensations, and developmental projects accorded to other oil-bearing regions in Nigeria.
“Concerned that the persistent oil spillages have contaminated water sources, destroyed farmlands, killed aquatic life, and subjected residents to economic hardship and health risks, with visible crude oil floating on streams and rivers used for drinking and domestic purposes.
“Also concerned that all appeals and petitions by the affected communities to National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Shell BP, and other relevant agencies have yielded no result, while similar affected areas such as Ogoni land have received federal intervention and environmental clean-up projects.
“Recognizes the urgent need for government intervention to prevent further environmental degradation, restore livelihoods, and ensure justice for the affected communities who have suffered prolonged neglect and deprivation for over five decades.”
In their resolution, the house of representatives urged the federal government to direct the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to urgently investigate, clean up, and remediate Idung Urom Isor, Obon Odor, Edem Idim, and other neighbouring communities in Ukanafun LGA of the state.
The house also prevailed on the federal government to recognize Idung Urom Isor and neighbouring communities as oil-producing areas and extend to them the benefits and interventions available to other oil-producing regions in Nigeria.
The federal legislature also resolved to directed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Federal Ministry of Regional Development to undertake immediate infrastructural and livelihood support projects in the affected communities.
The House also mandated the house committees on environment, petroleum (Upstream), and NDDC to follow up on the implementation of this resolution, carry out an on-the-spot assessment, and report back to the House within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
As part of resolutions, the house directed its house committees on environment, petroleum (Upstream), and NDDC to follow up on the implementation of this resolution, carry out an on-the-spot assessment, and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
