By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
The coordinator of Eco Defence Alliance, Mr Damian Gbogbara, has condemned alleged negligence of the multinational company, Shell, and other concerned stakeholders in solving the problem of oil Spillage in Bodo community, Rivers state.
Following a recent oil spill which reportedly happened in the early hours of July 4, 2024, the activist claimed that the event was one out of the many that had plagued Bodo community in the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State within a space of two months.
It was alleged that the unfortunate incident, which took place at about 12:45 am, was as a result of some leaked pipeline allegedly belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company.
An eyewitness account also reported that the oil spill had affected the livelihoods of Ogoni farmers and fishermen, seeking that the “government should come to their aid and save them from the destruction.”
The EDA Coordinator, in his effort to arrest the menace, emphasized urgent need for solutions.
Among the suggested solutions to the oil spill problem include identifying the reason for the incessant spillage and ensuring the closure of leakages in oil pipes.
Furthermore, Gbogbara was reported to have nudged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to collaborate with Shell and other authorities involved.
He believed that the collaborative efforts would help them pay close attention to the menace of oil spill, and stage what he called a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV).
His statement released to the media reads in part“Again, there is the need for transparency in the whole process, from constituting the JIV team to its implementation and its final result to avoid any form of crisis as witnessed the other time.
“The JIV report will help to hold the companies to account and also served as evidence-based documents for possible litigation on the ecosystem destruction, and safe the fragile Bodo, Ogoni, and Niger Delta Environment, especially with the ongoing clean up exercise by the Bodo Mediation Initiative, beside the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project coordinated Clean Up gearing up to start in the area.”
