By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives joint Committee on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum (downstream ) on Thursday summoned the Managing Directors of both Aiteo E & P Company,Victor Okoronkwo and Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Bolondi Fabrizio (now Oando Oil Ltd) to appear within 7 days over oil spillage at Olugboboro Community in Southern Ijaw.
The House Panel equally expressed displeasure over refusal by the oil companies executives to appear before the Committee after been invited on three occasions.
The Chairman of the Committee, Pondi Gbabador while speaking at the commencement of the hearing in Abuja, said that Committee was mandated to investigate activities and the operations of Aiteo E & P Company and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (now Oando Oil Ltd).
According to him, these companies’ allegedly portend grave environmental consequences in their host communities and, by extension, the nation as a whole.
Speaking at the meeting Gbabojor said that the oil industry plays a critical role in the economic development of the country, adding that it’s contributes significantly to the national income, provides employment, and supports infrastructure development in various regions.
He however emphasized that the contribution by the oil companies shouldn’t come at the cost of the health, well-being, and livelihood of the people in the host communities, nor the expense of the environment.
“You may recall that the House of Representatives, at its sitting of Tuesday, 12th March 2024, considered a motion titled Environmental Impact of Transporting Crude Oil by Mega Seagoing Vessels from Nembe Creek Trunk to Offshore Crude Oil Storage in the Atlantic Ocean by Aiteo E & P, and resolved to:Urge the Federal Ministry of Environment to compel the Management of Aiteo E & P to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the project, as dictated by the Environment Impact Assessment Act, 2004, and include the host communities, the State Government and stakeholders, in line with international global practice, subject to scrutiny of the public and environmental experts.
“Recall that the House in a motion mandated it’s committees on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Midstream) to:Investigate Environmental Impact of Transporting Crude Oil by Mega Seagoing Vessels from Nembe Creek Trunk to Offshore Crude Oil Storage in the Atlantic Ocean by Aiteo E & P, and Monitor compliance with the Ministry of Environment and the Management of Aiteo E & P with this requirement, and report within four (4) weeks.
