The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva said he is pleased with the efforts being made by Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPC) operator of the NNPC/Aiteo Joint Venture of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 to contain the leak at its Santa Barbara Southwest field in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.
The Minister made the commendation on Wednesday when he made an on-the-spot visit to the Well 01 on the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking to newsmen at Opu-Nembe in Nembe local government area of the state, Sylva described the devastating oil spill as an accident which is inevitable.
His words: “No one can stop an accident but when an accident happens, we want to also see that efforts are being taken to ensure that things are corrected.
“So, we have come, and we have seen as sent by Mr. President. We have gone to the site, we have looked at it and we have seen that the company (Aiteo) is making reasonable effort to contain the spill.
“We will be back and make a comprehensive report to Mr. President and we will get back to the community.”
The Minister pointed out that the company had assured that they were doing everything to ensure that the Christmas Rig was repaired as soon as possible.
He also commended the affected communities for their peaceful disposition since the incident occurred, assuring that president Buhari was concerned about their plights.
Speaking earlier, Aiteo’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ewariezi Useh said the oil firm was in concert with International oil and gas servicing companies such as Halibotton and others and are being mobilized to site to kill the surging oil well and bring it under control.
“We are concerned about the communities because they are our partners. We are concerned about the plights they have to face in cause of this incidence,” Useh added.
Also speaking, the Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe assured that the regulators would operate within the ambit of international best practices so that their activities would not further negatively impart the communities.
Responding, His Royal Majesty, Amanyanabo of Opu-Nembe Kingdom, King Biobelemoye Josiah also commended Aiteo for sending relief materials to the affected communities and urged the oil company to do more just as he advised Aiteo to desist from being quick to blame the oil spill on sabotage so as to create cordial relationship between it and the community.
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