By Alice Onukwugha
President of the Ogoni Oil-Bearing Communities, HRH Donald Gberesuu, has urged the state government to implement a policy that would effectively tackle ongoing oil spills and safeguard the rights of the local population.
His statement came in response to a recent oil spill incident at a pipeline operated by NNPC/SPDC/Total energies/NAOC Joint Venture in the Eleme local government area of Rivers State.
Communities affected by the spill include Ogale, Aleto, Agbonchia, Onne, and Alesa. Speaking during a live radio program in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, HRM Gberusuu expressed concern that oil multinationals were exploiting host communities due to the lack of government support.
“In recent times, oil-bearing host communities have been in dire situations due to oil spills. Some of the equipment used to transport crude oil has been in operation since 1962, and these pipelines should have been replaced by now, but this has not been done,” he remarked.
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Gberusuu emphasized the need for up-to-date facilities and a safe environment, highlighting the contrast with the clean environment maintained by Shell staff residing in Rumubiakani.
He called upon the Governor of Rivers State to exert pressure on the oil companies to
ensure the modernization of their facilities and the safety of the environment.
The President of the Oil-Bearing Communities stressed that affected communities require years to recover from the devastating effects of oil spills.
He condemned the current compensation practices, stating that the amount offered to affected individuals does not adequately
reflect the extent of the damage suffered.
“The situation in Eleme is even worse. If you witness what happened there, you will be moved to tears. A whole river is contaminated, and the land is devastated,” he revealed.
“Two years ago, a portion of Eleme received compensation for an oil spill, but I always tell my people that the compensation received does not match the damage inflicted upon them. So when you destroy the land, pollute the air, and render the environment uninhabitable, and then come after several years and offer a mere one naira, how long will that money sustain them?” he added.
