Bayelsa Frowns At IOCs Over Environmental Neglect

The Bayelsa State Government has expressed dismay at the extent of damage oil exploration has caused to the environment and the attendant neglect by international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Hon. lselema Gbaranbiri, expressed the dismay while addressing a meeting of foreign experts from Oasis Earth and other Environmental Stakeholders in Yenagoa after an on-the-spot assessment tour to spill sites around the state.
The on-the-spot assessment tour carried out by the Government and the foreign experts was with a view to curbing the menace of environmental degradation caused by oil spills in the State.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Environment Commissioner noted that the State Government was concerned about the level of damage oil spills has caused the environment and its negative impact on human health.
Gbaranbiri noted that the government was ready to collaborate with Oasis Earth to proffer lasting solutions to the challenges occasioned by oil exploration.
“Before now, Bayelsans took to farming as a means of livelihood, but the situation is different today, as all our lands and water ways have been polluted by spills, making life difficult for the citizenry”, he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Oasis Earth, an Environmental Scientist, as well as Professor in the University of Alaska, USA, Mr. Rick Steiner, disclosed that the organization was formed to tackle the problems of environmental degradation and that it had over the years worked on environmental aspect of oil and gas operations in a lot of countries and states, including the Niger Delta region.
Steiner said, he and his partner, Mr.Festus Odubo, were on a fact finding and assessment visit to the state regarding oil spills and its effect, the current state of oil industry divestment, decommissioning and abandonment of onshore infrastructure and facilities on the Niger Delta region.
He said they are also to prepare a report with observations and recommendations to be circulated to all interested organizations, including the United States Secretary General, based on their gatherings from the visit.
Others who spoke on the various challenges and recommended solutions to the oil spill problems were; Mr. Iniruo Wills, former Commissioner for Environment, Bayelsa State; Mr. Bank Japhet, former Director, Petroleum Pollution Control Department; and other key Environmental Experts and Community representatives, with all calling for the need for a proper frame work to curb oil spills and its effects in the State.
Also present at the meeting were the State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr. Ebieri Jones; Special Adiviser to the Governor on Oil and Gas, Mr. Franklin Otele; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Waripamo Martin; Head of Department, Petroleum and Pollution, Mr Rueben, Enai; and a Private Consultant, Mr.Woyengikuro Agedah.
The Tide reports that places visited during the tour were Nembe OML 29, 2021 blowout site, and the Aghoro Community, amongst Others.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa