Compensation payment on gas leak from a pipeline operated by Accugas Ltd, a subsidiary of Savannah Energy Plc, almost caused a showdown between a company and Ikot Ukpong and Ikot Inyang Abia communities, Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Straightnews has gathered.
The gas emission, which started on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at about 5 a.m, engulfed the two communities and adjoining ones, sending dangerous health signals to the inhabitants.
Recall that Savannah Energy PLC, the British independent energy company focusing on delivery of projects, signed off the company’s 80 per cent to its subsidiary, Accugas Limited.
Accugas entered into a Natural Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (the “NGSPA”) with Amalgamated Oil Company Nigeria Limited (“AMOCON”) for gas produced in the OML 156 sole risk petroleum lease area, for onward sale to its customers, focusing on the marketing, processing, distribution and sale of gas to the domestic Nigerian market.
Straightnews gathered that officials of Accugas had visited the scene of the gas leaks that flared and damaged oil palm trees, cassava, oil pumpkin leaves.
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Apart, the leak has caused panic and serious concern due to avoidable explosion among the villagers who relocated from their houses to neighbouring villages and are squatting in churches and schools for safety.
An authoritative source confided in the newspaper that officials of Accugas Ltd in collaboration with some politicians and government officials have started to politicize the leak that has destroyed economic trees, farmlands and houses worth more than N100 million.
The source told our reporter who visited the area that on Tuesday, August 13, officials of Accugas presented N1.5 million to Ikot Ukpong and N1.5 million as compensation to Ikot Inyang Abia communities.
‘‘Owing to the paltry amount called compensation in spite of enormity of damage, the affected communities rejected it. In fact, security men were drafted into the tensed communities to quell what could have snowballed into a serious catastrophe between the communities and the company.
‘‘Members of House of Assembly Committee on Oil and Gas led by Hon. Emem Udom will visit the site of the incident for inspection and report same to the House on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
Visits to tragedy site
On Monday, August 12, 2024, NOSDRA officials, in collaboration with representatives from Savannah Energy, conducted an initial joint investigation at the site.
However, due to the high pressure of the emission, no remedial action could be taken at that time.
Villagers from the affected communities expressed their growing concerns, stating, “This situation has posed significant health risks to us. The delay in addressing the incident has led to growing frustrations among us. We are peacefully appealing to Savannah Energy for urgent assistance in ensuring this gas emission is brought to an end.”
It was also gathered that the company had been attempting to evade its responsibilities both before and during the incident.
On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the Chairman of the Transition Committee, Ukanafun Local Government Council, Akuku Godwin Sunday Ekpe, met with representatives from Savannah Energy, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, and other key stakeholders.
The meeting focused on addressing the gas emission incident involving the gas pipeline between Ikot Ukpong and Ikot Inyang Abia Villages in Ukanafun Local Government Area.
Earlier, the Chairman had deployed security personnel to the affected area and instructed the village heads and youth leaders of the two villages to prevent residents from approaching the site. Additionally, the villagers were sensitized to the potential dangers associated with the gas emission.
During a rescheduled joint investigation on August 13, 2024, the NOSDRA team identified the cause of the gas emission as an act of technical sabotage perpetrated by unknown persons.
The investigation revealed an 8-inch drilled hole between the 10 and 11 a.m. positions on the gas pipeline, confirming the source of the incident.
Engr. Henry Madu, the NOSDRA Team Leader, thanked the local government Chairman for his prompt and proactive response to the situation and his concern for the welfare of his people, as well as the leadership of two villages for their cooperation during the exercise.
Similarly, Engr. Iniobong Simple Akai of Savannah Energy also extended his appreciation to the leadership of Ukanafun Local Government Area and the affected communities, pledging to ensure that the concerns and requests from the two villages are communicated to his company.
The leadership of the affected villages and residents expressed their deep appreciation for Hon. Ekpe’s care and support.
They commended him for standing by them in ensuring that everything necessary was properly addressed. They also extended their gratitude to everyone involved in bringing the incident to a resolution.
Speaking on the matter, Hon. Ekpe expressed deep concern over the health and environmental hazards posed by the gas emission.
He dismissed a misleading report submitted to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), which falsely claimed that the affected communities had denied Savannah Energy’s representatives access to the scene.
Ekpe criticized the company for its failure to implement necessary security measures to prevent such incident.
The Chairman noted that since assuming office, he had not been in contact with Savannah Energy until this incident.
He stressed the need for company to prioritise the safety of the environment and the people by swiftly devising all means to stop the gas emissions without further delay.
Furthermore, Ekpe recommended to the company to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gas emission and assess its environmental impact on the affected communities.
‘‘Take full responsibility for the incident by implementing immediate corrective measures to halt the emission and prevent future occurrences.
‘‘Strengthen security measures in the region to ensure compliance with environmental safety standards and protect the communities.
Provide medical assistance to residents who may have been adversely affected by the emission, including health assessments and appropriate treatment.
Establish a community liaison to improve communication between Savannah Energy and the affected communities, ensuring that the concerns of the residents are adequately addressed’’ he added.
At last, Ekpe emphasized that the safety and well-being of his people must be prioritized.
He urged Savannah Energy to take full responsibility for the incident and assured the company of the Local Government’s willingness to collaborate in protecting the environment and safeguarding public health.
Present during the investigation and discussion were Engr. Igbongidi Ebiyari of NMDPRA, Mfon Solomon (NMDPRA), Kyande Gabriel (NOSDRA), O. Ba’Ozim (NOSDRA), Ime Usoro, Anietie Emah from the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, security operatives, and the Champion of AK-RARA, Dcn Ndiana-Abasi Udom, members of the Transition Committee, State Coordinator for Gas Pipeline Host Communities, among others.
Minister’s reaction
Reacting to the incident, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, urged residents to exercise extreme caution to ensure their safety.
Ekpo in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, August 13 by his media aide, Louis Ibah, assured that he is working closely with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to identify the cause of the leak and restore normalcy to the area.
The Minister warned residents against tampering with critical assets, stating that such actions can lead to serious injury or loss of life.
“The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged the people of Ukanafun Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State to exercise extreme caution to ensure their safety following a gas leak incident reported in Ikot Ukpong from a pipeline operated by Savannah Energy Ltd.
“The Minister wishes to assure residents of the affected area that he is in contact with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders from the Federal and Akwa Ibom State Governments to identify the cause of the leak and restore normalcy to the area as quickly as possible.
“Ekpo also implores residents along the right of way of gas pipelines against tampering with critical assets and advised that any community that suspects a leak from any pipeline, should please report such incident to relevant authorities and should not attempt to profit from the situation, as this can lead to serious injury or even loss of life,” the statement reads.
