NGO Seeks Prompt Response To Bayelsa Spill

The Environmental Rights
Action/Friends of Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), has called for a prompt response to the ongoing oil spill in Ikenghenbiri, Southern Ijaw Council Area in Bayelsa State.
The ERA/FoEN, an environment focused non-governmental organisation, made the demand in its field report on the spill incident in Yenagoa on Monday.
The Head of ERA/FoEN’s Bayelsa office, Mr Alagoa Morris, who signed the report, urged the management of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to fix the leak and clean up the site.
It further made case for the compensation of members of the fishing community affected by the incident.
“A properly constituted Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) was carried out to ascertain cause of spill. The team noted the volume of spill, spread and damages and made recommendations. “The community should be given their copy of the signed JIV report for their own records. “Relevant agencies of government: National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), State and Federal Ministries of Environment, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), should ensure compliance with existing environmental laws. “Agip should also, pay compensation if found culpable, for general and specific damages.” ERA/FoEN said.
The Chairman, Ikenghenbiri Community Development Committee, Mr Marshal Josiah, said  that the community was awaiting a JIV report with officials of Agip on the spill.
Josiah said the oil leakage from an underwater valve had been discharging into the environment since it was reported on September.