The House of Representatives Committee on Environment has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to commence the cleanup of communities affected by an oil spill and fire incident.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the committee chairman, Julius Gbabojor, stated that this resolution followed a hearing on a petition against NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited (NEOL).
The spill occurred at Well 8, Bukuma, in the Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
Mr. Gbabojor directed NNPCL and NEOL to urgently provide relief materials to affected communities. He also granted the companies a three-week extension for a fair hearing and the opportunity to respond to allegations.
“This hearing, convened by the Committee on Environment, addresses a formal complaint filed against NEOL by Messrs Anosike Egbuchiwe & Associates on behalf of Friends of Eco Life and the affected communities,” he explained.
According to the petition, a gas leak was reported on December 1, 2024, at OML 18, Well 8 in Bukuma, Degema LGA. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT), including NNPCL NEOL, NOSDRA, NUPRC, the Rivers Ministry of Environment, and Bukuma community representatives, inspected the site on December 6, 2024, and issued directives to prevent further escalation.
Mr. Gbabojor emphasized the severe impact of the incident, noting that residents had suffered for over three months. The disaster halted economic activities such as farming and fishing, leaving communities without access to safe drinking water, medical care, or basic necessities.
“In response to our invitation for today’s hearing, NNPCL, in a letter dated March 4, stated that they were unable to attend and requested a three-week extension to provide necessary information and appear before the committee,” he added.
(NAN)