OLEH—THE people of
Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, have alleged that Nigerian
Agip Oil Company, NAOC, connived with soldiers to renege on agreements it
reached with the community to discontinue its operations in the
community
impacted by the recent oil spillage pending the resolution of ‘the grey
issues.”
The company’s
pipeline had ruptured in the community on September 7, with the resultant oil
spillage causing a fire outbreak in the area.
Speaking with
newsmen on the development, President-General Oleh Community Development, Chief
James Obeuwou, said that representatives of the company, the state Ministry of
Environment, the local government and the community, had, after an assessment
of the rupture, agreed that the affected area be cordoned off until a final
agreement at a consultative forum.
“Sadly, Agip connived with the soldiers to continue
with its operations in the area,” he said, noting that the spill which
destroyed farmlands arising from the fire outbreak, was “caused by over pumping
of crude oil as a result of error in their machines.” Saying that the fire
broke out about 3a.m., Obeuwou added:
“A glow lit the sky as if a volcano had
erupted in a distance. There was a sound like high pressure water fall almost
like a siren. People living around the area started running for their lives
because it was frightening. It was like the world was coming to an end. We have
never witnessed anything like this in the community.” Meanwhile, the council
Chairman, Sir Ithiak Ikpokpo, urged the company to put its equipment in good
shape, adding, “They cannot run their business at our detriment.” Vanguardngr
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