House C’ttee Summons Oil Firms Over Spillage in Southern Ijaw 

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum (downstream) has summoned the Managing Directors of Aiteo E & P Company,Victor Okoronkwo and Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Bolondi Fabrizio (now Oando Oil Ltd) to appear within 7 days over oil spillage at Olugboboro  Community in Southern Ijaw. 

This resolution followed the Committee’s displeasure over refusal by the oil companies’ executives to appear before the Committee after been invited on three occasions. 

The chairman of the Commitee, Pondi Gbabador, during his remark at the committee hearing yesterday said that Committee was mandated to investigate activities and the operations of Aiteo E & P Company and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (now Oando Oil Ltd).

Gbabador stressed that these companies allegedly portend grave environmental consequences in their host communities and, by extension, the nation as a whole.

He further said that the oil industry plays a critical role in the economic development of the country and that it contributes significantly to the national income, provides employment, and supports infrastructure development in various regions. 

The lawmaker lamented the contribution by the oil companies shouldn’t come at the cost of the health, well-being, and livelihood of the people in the host communities, nor the expense of the environment.

Recall that the House of Representatives, at its sitting of Tuesday, 12th March 2024, considered a motion titled Environmental Impact of Transporting Crude Oil by Mega Seagoing Vessels from Nembe Creek Trunk to Offshore Crude Oil Storage in the Atlantic Ocean by Aiteo E & P.

The lawmakers consequently resolved that the Federal Ministry of Environment should compel the Management of Aiteo E & P to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the project, as dictated by the Environment Impact Assessment Act, 2004, and include the host communities, the State Government and stakeholders in line with international global practice, subject to scrutiny of the public and environmental experts.

According to Gbabador, “The House in a motion mandated its committees on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Midstream) to investigate Environmental Impact of Transporting Crude Oil by Mega Seagoing Vessels from Nembe Creek Trunk to Offshore Crude Oil Storage in the Atlantic Ocean by Aiteo E & P, and Monitor compliance with the Ministry of Environment and the Management of Aiteo E & P with this requirement, and report within four (4) weeks.

“In the same vein, the House also on Tuesday, 23rd July 2024, considered a motion titled Oil Spillage at Olugboboro Community in Southern Ijaw from Nigerian Agip Oil Company Facility, and subsequently resolved to: Urge the Management of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company to urgently stop/contain the oil leakages from its Facilities at Ogboinbiri/Teibidaba affecting Olugboboro community in southern Ijaw Federal Constituency”

“Also urged the National Emergency Management Agency to urgently supply relief materials to ameliorate the suffering of the impacted communities who have lost sources of livelihood, further urged the Nigeria Agip Oil Company to immediately pay compensation to the affected community for the economic trees and aquatic life damaged since April 2024, by the spillage and Mandated the Committees on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to carry out extensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the spillage to ascertain and assess the extent of impact to Olugboboro community of Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency and report within four (4) weeks.

“In light of the above, we have invited the Managing Directors of both Aiteo E & P Company and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (now Oando Oil Ltd) to this Hearing, to provide us with detailed explanations regarding their activities, particularly in their areas of operations. We expect full cooperation and transparency from all stakeholders in this process.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the operations of oil companies in our country are carried out in a manner that is sustainable, environmentally responsible, and respectful of the rights and welfare of the communities they operate in and the Country at large.

“It is also noteworthy, to emphasize that the Committees are not here to vilify any corporate entity but to ensure accountability, transparency, and adherence to environmental laws and regulations that govern the oil sector in our country. We aim to find solutions, hold the responsible parties accountable where necessary, and recommend the appropriate remedial actions.

“The outcome of the Hearing will not only affect the immediate communities involved but will also set a precedent for how Nigerians approach environmental issues related to industrial activities in the future. The environment is our common heritage, and we must protect it for ourselves and future generations.

“I trust that the deliberations today will be conducted with the highest level of professionalism, respect, and commitment to justice. Thank you all for your attention, and I look forward to a productive session”

Rofikat Odetoro who represented the ministry of Environment said the EIA approval issued by the ministry stipulated that the crude oil from Altio oil fields should be evacuated through pipelines and not through barges as being currently practiced by the company.”