Ebocha Explosion: Host Communities Bemoan Devastation …As Agip Loses 1.5m Barrels Of Crude

L-R: President General, Bakana Community Development Association, Mr Iloye Braide, Prof. Victor Omuaru and Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, during the association’s courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday

Host communities of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), the Italian oil prospecting giant are now groaning in pains, tears and fear apparently due to the explosion of three massive reservoirs containing several hundreds of thousands of crude oil.
The indigenes of the area are particularly crying foul following non-delivery of relief materials to them, four days after the blasts which devastated the environment, destroying flora and fauna.
The communities, whose environment was impacted include: Mgbede, Okwuzi, Aggah, Abacheke, Abaezi and Etekwuru, spreading across two states, Rivers and Imo, where acquatic life, farms, livestock and human beings are at risk due to emissions occasioned by the tragedy.
The Tide investigations revealed that the oil production from the Ebocha facility, which stood at 22,000 bpd before the blast, had been stalled, and workers were seen milling some distance from the facility, waiting for orders from  above on the next line of action.
While security had been beefed up in the area to forestall violence and protect lives and property, indigenes have been forced to relocate to neighbouring communities, for safety.
Our reporter gathered that the blasts occurred on Sunday and the fire raged till last Tuesday, from three giant tanks, leaving locals to scamper for safety of their lives.
The paramount ruler of the host communities, Mgbede town, Eze Chadinah Ogor told The Tide that the devastation was horrible and  that people were thrown out of their beds and comfort homes following the loud noise, smoke and huge flame that enveloped the area.
Ogor noted that since oil prospecting by Agip began in 1968, indigenes have never witnessed such thunderous explosion.
He blamed the disaster on poor maintenance culture of Agip as, according to him, most of their facilities and equipment were obsolete and non-effective.
The monarch called for the re-appraisal of Agip’s operational policy, and also harped on the need for immediate relief materials to cushion the effects of the blasts, as well as remediation of the impacted environment.
Similarly, the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local government Area, Mr. Augustine Ahiamadu, who visited the site of the explosions, said the council has contacted the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Agip to initially assess the impact of the disaster on the people and the environment.
Ahiamadu noted that the council has declared the area as a disaster zone while efforts were in top gear to send relief materials to the people so impacted.
He also called for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the environment.
In his reaction, a landlord to the Ebocha oil centre, Engr. Nelson Ekperi, lamented the plight of the landlords and other host communities, adding that the tragedy was unimaginable.
The Tide learnt that there was some gaseous emissions at the oil centre, few days to the blasts.
Sources said workers who were working on the facility were masked to avoid inhaling gas.
When contacted, Mr. Ifeanyi Ewule of NAOC’s public affairs department declined comments.
He, however, referred The Tide to his boss, Mr. Etim, who ignored all calls and text messages sent to him on the issue.
But workers at the oil centre, who pleaded anonymity, could not ascertain whether the blasts were caused by equipment failure or sabotage.
However, they contended  that Agip may have lost over 1.5 million barrels of crude oil to the tragedy, and equipment worth billions of Naira razed by the inferno.
The Tide learnt that a team comprising the host communities’ representatives, stakeholders, NAOC’s management and other relevant agencies may likely go for the first Joint Inspection Visit (JIV) in the next couple of days.

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