Oil Spillage: Delta Govt Backing Oil Companies To Flout MoU In Ndokwa Nation
From Chief G.E Ikwuobodo –
One would be tempted to ask if Delta State government is backing the oil companies to flout agreement on environmental protection and other social responsibilities. The question is impetuous following the negligence suffered by Ndokwa people at great magnitude. The people of Ndokwa East and West Local Government Areas have been at risk of consuming polluted water as a result of SEEPCO’s refusal to carry out a proper oil spill clean up.
It is eminent that questions be directed to Sterling, an oil firm in Ndokwa land and Delta State Hon Commissioner for Oil & Gas whose responsibility is to sanction the erring Company following various reports and agreement reached in a meeting at his Office in Asaba on September 05, 2022.
It was unfortunate that the company flouted the agreement reached at his office amongst which were for a compensation to be paid to me, before Sterling can go ahead to carry out a proper maintenance, cleanup and remediation.
Meanwhile, after the meeting, no word was heard from Sterling Oil Company. I once again took the pain (after being cajoled) to withdraw the matter from Court so they can carryout our agreement. Yet, nothing is done even as I have forwarded four copies of letter in reminder to both the Company and Ministry of Oil & Gas informing them of the upcoming flood, and that its impact would be deadly if a cleanup isn’t carried out.
To my utmost shock, the Commissioner, as well as the Company turned deaf ears. Now the flood has come and receded, it has further contaminated ground waters spreading widely all over Ndokwa Land which is another threat to humanity.
This act of negligence, carelessness, and cruelty exhibited by the duo is uncalled for. It goes a long-way to show that Sterling, especially, is not concerned about its host Community.
How could one conceive of postponing settlement till after flooding without thinking about the health condition of its hosts, climate, and ecosystem in general.
Too sadly but to mention, it’s awkward that in the past, Sterling has as well, over 12-Oil Spill incidents with no-proper clean-up carried out measure; no remediation exercise initiated – nothing at all, which was the same thing many host communities in Delta State (Bonga, Boho, Oloibiri, e.t.c) suffered in the past, yet this 22nd Century. My Community is put under such displacement.
I have already taken my decision to revisit the matter, as a result of the recent flooding because it’s now far more than anticipated in our last meeting.
Meanwhile, some relevant private bodies have been contacted to carry out their investigation as the flood has resulted in more oil spills in Ndokwa Land.
Hence, a cry for intervention from the State, Federal Government as well as International bodies.
Read also:Â PIA: A Corporate Attempt To Colonize Host Communities
I advise every occupant of Ndokwa Land to henceforth, desist from consuming the polluted water till a proper Clean-up is carried out. Our lives matter, our rights count. So let our voice be let out. There’s presently an ongoing petition template to which we all have to ensure we participate by joining the campaign as only 100 reports are needed for the foreign regulatory bodies to intervene as hon. Commissioner for oil and gas’ body language shows no-sign of support.
He gave no attention to the letters he received and acknowledged in his office. Rather, he queried and sanctioned the Local Government Chairman for his refusal allow the deliver of cooked food by the same Company to flood victims.
Related story:Â Niger Delta Communities Tackle Oil Companies Over Gross Negligence
The LGA Chairman had earlier, explained to the Company that cooked food isn’t welcome in the Flood IDP camp. Meanwhile an issue as pressing and concerned with human lives is being left unaddressed.
At the time of filing this report, similar reports have so-far been published in daily newspapers, and this time it’s a call for sensitization because the flood is dried up. Flood victims are returning to their original place of residence, to which many will be prone to health conditional effects as a result of the gross pollution from the ever-corrosive OKWUIBOME Crude-Oil.
This isn’t a drill, it’s for our safety. I remain Chief G.E Ikwuobodo, 08032460030.
Deaf government. Take all of them to court. Oil companies misbehave everywhere
Our government don’t take things that affect commoners serious that’s why our country is like this 🙅🙅🙅
Quite critical, more devastating is our leaders, ignoring matters as important as this!
IS HEALTH STILL WEALTH,I ASK…..
It is sad story. Only proper a action will address the situation. I dont know why people are comfortable reaping others
This is rather very disheartening, unfortunately, those in places of authority in Nigeria always do not care about the sufferings of the ordinary taxpayers through whose monies, they receive their remunerations. The oil spill is not to be taken for granted since it affects human lives and the ecosystem respectively. Imagine the flood that ravaged the Ndokwa Land, leaving a lot of people homeless and some dead, yet the companies could not accomplish their responsibility to that effect. The earlier they hearken to the yearning and suffering of the host communities, the better for them before things get out of hands.