The Fishermen
under the auspices of Famous Fishing Organisation (FFO) in Unyenge community,
Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have demanded for N250billion
compensation from an oil company, Universal Energy Resources Ltd, (UERL).
The
chairman of the organisation, Mr. Johnson Harry gave the hint while briefing
newsmen on the impact of the August 15 oil spill on its members from the company’s
oil field in Stubb Creek.
Harry informed NaijaAgroNet that the spill
emptied about 2,000 barrels of crude into the Ede Akpa River in the area
thereby destroying the aquatic life, raffia palms, fishing nets and stopping
their only means of livelihood which is fishing.
“The oil flowed to Ede Akpa River where we do our fishing
activities and destroyed our fishing equipment and as a result, we can no
longer fish in the river again. The oil
spill also destroyed farmlands in the area, affecting the livelihood of 5,000
farmers in Unyenge community. We cannot farm, and according to international
standard, if there is an oil spill, you have to wait for 10 years before you
can start farming again,’’ Harry said.
He lamented that the devastation had caused untold hardship to the
people of the area, resulting to acute hunger and death of some of their
members and urged UERL to clean up the affected lands and waters in the area
according to international standard.
The company the Public Affairs Officer of the company, Mr.
Aniefiok Iwaudofia, confirmed the incident, while explaining that the cause of
the spill was equipment failure from a ruptured flange on the tank outlet and
assured the host community that the management would continue to engage in
practice and processes designed to effectively manage the hazards of its operations.
“The quantity of crude spilled into the river was only about three
barrels. It is important to note that the spill was immediately and effectively
contained within the Stubb Creek well pad. The little that poured on the UERL
acquired Right of Way (ROW) was scooped and the top soil excavated and back-filled
with fresh sand,’’ Iwaudofia said.
AN/GEE
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