SAN FRANCISCO, October 31, (THEWILL) – About 35 communities affected by oil spill in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Council Area of Delta State, have threatened to shut down the Escravos-Warri Line if the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) fails to commence clean-up exercise in the areawithin seven days.
In a letter addressed to NNPC Group Managing Director, signed by Johnbull Demebi, Edward Odudu and Chief Moses Bebenimibo for the communities, they disclosed that they observed and agreed during the joint investigation visit that the spill was as result of equipment failure.
The communities, which threatened to shut down the Escravos-to-Warri Crude line if their demands are not meant, also called on NNPC and the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited – operators of the failed pipelines – to provide with relief materials and compensation.
“It is insulting and provocative for a spiller like the NNPC/NPSC to refuse to accept the cause of an oil spill that has been determined and accepted by the regulators: NOSDRA and the ministry of environment,” the letter read.
“NNPC/NPSC is only interested in pumping crude oil through the trunk line whereas the affected communities are in pain and sorrow with more communities affected by the spill because of the deliberate and wilful refusal of NNPC to clean up the impacted communities and curtain further spread.
“The communities in the light of the foregoing have given the NNPC/NPSC (PPMC) seven days ultimatum to clean up the impacted communities, provide relief materials and pay adequate and fair compensation to the communities and people.
“If NNPC/NPSC fails to comply with our demands within seven days, we would have no other option than to shut down the Escravos to Warri trunk line until our demands are met.”
The communities claimed that the spill started on August 17 and lasted two months and has affected Ikpokpo, Tejubor, Okpelema, Opuede, Opuede-Zion, Opuedebubor, Meka-Ama, Oto-Gbene, New Jerusalem Zion, Mala-Gbene, Atanba, Okerenkoko-Gbene, Oporoza federated communities, Gama-Zion and Azama communities.
Others are Inikorogha, Ibanfa, Igoba, Kunukunuama, Pepeama, Kurutie, Jaghala, Okerenkoko, Egwa, Bikumor, Sarabubowei, Benikrukru, Kokodiagbene, Kantu, Bebebopre Zion, Olukperebu, Oburu, Ogbotu-Gbene and Seitorsububor Communities of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
Story by Oputah David
