Oil spills: Group alarmed over activities of companies, task govt on clean-up

 Oilwatch Africa has expressed worry over the action of oil companies operating in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.

It called on the Nigerian government to take control and ensure proper clean-up of polluted lands in the country and adequate compensation paid to the affected communities.

The Media/Communication Lead of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Kome Odhomor in a statement on Saturday said the coordinator of Oilwatch Africa, Salome Nduta stated this at the just concluded Africa Energy summit held in the United Kingdom.

Nduta said the way the multinational operates showed that Africa is not just a geographical location but also a cow that should be milked dry for the gains of her captors stressing that polluters should be held accountable for loss and damage inflicted on communities in Africa.

”Oilwatch Africa calls on the Nigerian government to take charge and ensure the proper clean-up of polluted lands and as well payment of compensation for damage suffered. As a group, we further charge all African governments to invest in renewable energy taking into consideration the true cost of extraction which is causing more harm than good to her people.

Also speaking, Nnimmo Bassey, a member of Oilwatch steering committee expressed displeasure that the oil companies are yet to show seriousness about ensuring that their facilities are in good working conditions.

He regretted that rather than remediating the harms, caused by their activities, more investments are being made by the oil companies to expand the areas of threat.

Bassey noted the two oil spills in Rivers State recently and urged the Hydrocarbons Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP)to ensure immediate cleanup of the affected areas.

He said, “New investments in the fossil fuels sector and incessant new oil spills threaten to push the world into climate catastrophe and expose the wrong-headed pathway taken by nations when they gather at COPs for climate negotiations.

“One oil spill was reported from a pipeline owned by Shell in Eteo community on June 13 2023 while another occurred at Eleme Local
Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday, June 18 2023 in Oke-Olebo stream which is the only source of fresh water for the community.

“We have always advocated for a cleaner environment and we charge the Hydrocarbons Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to take into account the new oil spills that threaten to derail the ongoing cleanup process. Steps should be taken to ensure accountability by offending parties”.