National news
Reps Urges Immediate Cleanup of Oil Spill-Affected Communities
- Gbabojor directed NNPCL and NEOL to provide urgent relief materials to affected oil spill communities while granting them a three-week extension to ensure a fair hearing and the right to reply.
- It was gathered that the NNPCL had already embarked on the directive to commence the process of remediation, following the clean-up of the impacted oil spill communities, by sending relief materials to ameliorate the situation.
The House of Representatives Committee on Environment has called for an immediate commencement of cleanup efforts in communities impacted by an oil spill and fire incident at Well 8 in Buguma, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Committee Chairman Pondi Gbabojor made this statement after a hearing on a petition against the activities of NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited (NEOL).
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Gbabojor directed NNPCL and NEOL to provide urgent relief materials to affected communities while granting them a three-week extension to ensure a fair hearing and the right to reply.
He emphasized the importance of addressing the plight of the affected communities and holding those responsible accountable for the environmental damage.
He said, “As you may be aware, this Hearing is convened by the Committee on Environment, to address a Formal Complaint against NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited (NEOL) regarding the Spill and Fire Incident at Well 8, Buguma, Degema LGA Rivers State, filed by Messrs Anosike Egbuchiwe & Associates, Legal Practitioners on behalf of the Friends of Eco Life and the affected communities.
“A gas leak was reported on 1st December 2024, at OML 18, Well 8, Buguma, Degema LGA, Rivers state.
Thereafter, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), comprising the NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd, NOSDRA, NUPRC, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, and the representatives of Buguma community visited the site on 6th December 2024, during which certain directives were issued to the Operator to forestall further escalation.
“Consequently, the incident has resulted in air pollution and_ significant contamination of bodies of water and farmland, leading to the loss of biodiversity and marine habitats, thereby exposing both Indigenous people and residents of Buguma and its environs to grave health risks and environmental hazards.
“The devastation occasioned by this incident can only be imagined. The affected communities have been languishing in squalor, considering that for over three months, economic activities centered around farming and fishing have come to an abrupt halt, with no access to safe drinking water, medical care, or the basic necessities of life.
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“In response to our invitation to today’s Hearing, the NNPCL in a letter dated 4′” March 2025, conveyed their inability to attend today’s engagement and sought an extension for three weeks, to enable them to provide necessary information and appear accordingly.
It was gathered that the NNPCL had already embarked on the directive to commence the process of remediation, following the clean-up of the impacted communities, by sending relief materials to ameliorate the situation.
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