.
Authorities of the ConOil producing Limited ,owners of the Adriatic facilities belonging to SHELF oil and gas drilling Company Nigerian limited Platform of Otuo South; in OML 59 of Saganan community in Brass Local Government area of the State has remained mum over the controversy triggered over a strange leakage of poisonous gas from the company’s facility.
But the Bayelsa State House of Assembly has passed a three point resolution calling on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to as a matter of urgency, send relief materials and medical aid to Sangana Community in Brass local government area of the state.
It also calls on National Assembly Members representing Bayelsa State to bring the issue on the floor of both Houses as a matter of urgent public importance, and further calls on Federal and State Governments to save lives, by relocating the inhabitants of Sangana community to a safer area.
The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Dr. Charles Daniel representing Brass Constituency one, over the recent gas leak, which has seriously affected the livelihood and health of the people, predominantly farmers and fishermen and have deserted their communities.
Also speaking, State Coordinator of the Enviromental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth(ERA/FoEN), Comrade Morris Alagoa expressed concern over the disturbing posture of ConOil on the incident, “that there is no reaction from Conoil since the incident apart from evacuation of workers from the facility. There is no public statement, no visible signs at the facility Environment that anybody is taking steps to contain the situation and bring the countinuing toxic gas leak to a stop. This is unacceptable, considering the fact that it is raw gas that is spewing into the marine ecosystem and atmosphere above and this is inimical to the environment in terms of the health of humans and aquatic livesâ€.
“Effortlessly, what comes to mind is the 16th January, 2012 incident at Chevron’s North Apoi facility, not far from this environment. The authorities should compel Conoil to do the needful without further delays as a stitch in time saves nine. Every single hour and day that passes with this sailing polluting condition should attract heavy penalty from the facility owner to serve as deterrent. The National Assembly should call Conoil to order. If Oil industry issues were not in the exclusive list, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly would have been prevailed upon to do the needful’.
The fact that even NOSDRA seems powerless goes to confirm regulatory capture and this is not acceptable. Oil industry operators cannot self- regulate themselves. But, politicians shouldn’t play politics with pollution matters. I will post it on Facebook. That thing cannot affect only Sangana in Akassa kingdom; other Communities in the kingdom are likely to be affected too. Besides, our Politicians shouldn’t play politics with matters of pollution. Sangana is not the only community most likely to be impacted both in terms of health and fishing; other communities in Akassa kingdom like OGINIBIRI, OPU OKUMBIRI, OKUMBIRIBELEU, MINIBIE,MINI AMGBA, KONGHO, may be affected; including others in Southern local government area of Bayelsa State.
The direction of wind and water current changes often. So, we cannot say 100% that such will affect only one particular community, No.â€
About Author
