Investigations Into Qua Iboe Oil Spill Near Complition – NOSDRA

National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) says it is at the final stage of the probe into the oil spill at the Qua Iboe oil fields in Akwa  Ibom.

The Tide’s source reports that the oil field is operated by Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) and that the spill occurred December 4, 2009. Mr Irvin Obot, NOSDRA’s Zonal Director also told the source in Eket, Akwa Ibom, that the frequent oil spills from the Qua Iboe fields had presented additional challenges to the oil spill agency. Obot explained that the agency was investigating three spill incidents from the Qua Iboe fields simultaneously. It will be recalled that the coastal communities in the neighbourhood of Mobil facilities experienced spill incidents on December 4, 2009, March 24, 2010 and May 1, 2010. Obot said, “We hope to conclude work on the December oil spill soon. So far we have passed the stage of clean up, post clean up inspection. “During the course of our investigation, we found out that some people, who suffered the impact of the spill, were in the process of making claims for compensation. “And until we receive the compensation claims, we cannot say the oil spill incident investigation has been concluded.’’ Chairman of Akwa Ibom Chapter of Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria (ARFAN), Rev. Samuel Ayadi said that the affected fishermen were still taking stock of their losses before making their claims. Ibeno community on December 29, 2009 gave the management of Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) a two week ultimatum to pay 500 million dollars as compensation for damages caused by the oil spills. The community in a letter to the oil firm, dated December 17, 2009 decried frequent oil spills at the Qua Iboe oil field and the resultant pollution to the environment and loss of livelihood for the predominantly fishing community. Hundreds of members of Ibeno, host community to MPN a fortnight ago protested the frequent oil spills from Mobil facilities in the Atlantic. They appealed to the Akwa Ibom government to mediate in the conflict between the oil firm and the communities in Eket, Esit Eket, Onna and Ibeno council areas of Akwa Ibom.