By Obiabin Onukwugha
A federal government delegation led by the Director General/Chief Executive of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, has paid a visited to the Yorla Oil Well 14, in Kpean community, Khana local government area of Rivers State, where a spill reportedly occured earlier this month.
The delegation, including the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited, Bashir Ojulari; and Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, visited the spill site on Monday.
The Yorla facility, previously operated by Shell, is now under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Commenting on the impact of the spill, the delegation,.emphasised the need to forestall further pollution of the environment, especially as the federal government plans oil production resumption in Ogoni.
Speaking, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, stressed that such incidents must not reoccur, calling for strengthened surveillance and protection of critical oil assets and facilities across Ogoniland.
Director-General of NOSDRA, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, underscored commitment to remediating the polluted site, in line with the agency’s mandate.
He said the agency would work closely with all stakeholders to ensure necessary measures are taken to prevent future oil spills and respond effectively to incidents.
Woke also highlighted the importance of community engagement and cooperation in addressing oil spill incidents, noting NOSDRA’s commitment to working with local communities.
The GMD of NNPCL, Bashir Ojulari, on his part, assured stakeholders of the company’s commitment to a thorough cleanup and remediation exercise, following a detailed technical assessment of the impacted environment.
It would be recalled that the Paramount Ruler of Teera-ue Community, Chief Stephen Koko, earlier raised concerns over the oil spill in Kpean community, stating that the spill has now spread into the river and shorelines of his community.
He said the impact of the oil spill has destroyed the sources of livelihoods of his subjects amongst others. According to him, crude deposits from the leaking wellhead have polluted the community’s waterways, threatening fishing activities and the livelihoods of residents.
The oil spill, which was first reported on December 3, is said to be from the well head where a similar incident occurred in August.
When environmentalists and civil society organizations led journalists to the site, it was observed that persistent rain fall had put off the fire, with no remediation efforts by the operator or relevant agencies.