The member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Unyime Idem, has attributed the recent gas leak in the two villages in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom to lack of surveillance on the facility.
The facility inaugurated 15 years between Ikot Ukpong and Ikot Inyang Abia Villages accidentally leaked Sunday, August 14 resulting in panic among the villagers.
Idem, who is the Chairman the House Committee on Public Procurement, said his visit to the scene and interaction with the residents and stakeholders, revealed that hitherto, there was no surveillance on the gas facility at all.
“It is, therefore, necessary for Savannah Energy to assess the environmental impact on the affected villages and quickly fix the emission.
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‘‘Going forward, Savannah Energy should commence surveillance on its facilities, conduct routine checks to forestall any failure of its facility, ensure compliance with environmental safety standards for the protection of the host communities,’’ he advised.
The Ukanafun-born politician used the occasion to call on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to step up oversight responsibilities on oil companies operating in Akwa Ibom State and by extension, the Niger Delta region.
Idem who visited the site where a gas pipeline owned by company was leaking said this would keep the oil firms on their toes to ensure surveillance of their facilities across the region.
On compensation to the affected communities, the Two-term federal lawmaker said “the company knows the risk this gas emission poses to residents of these communities, and must now make adequate compensation structure, including proper health plan, for those adversely affected. We’re expecting Savannah Energy’s reaction in this regard as soon as possible.”
“Let me also call on the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to reach out to the affected communities with relief materials to help ameliorate the effect of the gas emission that my people have suffered for weeks now. The gesture will show the people that government really cares about them.”
Expressing deep concern over the health and environmental hazards posed by the gas emission, Idem appealed to the people to stay off the affected area, given the grave dangers associated with gas emission.
The Public Procurement pledged to give the situation the legislative push necessary in order to get adequate benefits for the affected communities.
He assured the people of Ikot Ukpong to ensuring the village is captured in the next phase of the community lighting-up project, and to accommodate more youths from the village in his empowerment scheme.
Earlier, the village head of one of the affected communities, Ikot Ukpong, Chief Ndianabasi Monday Offong, had thanked Rep. Idem for finding time to visit the scene of the gas emission to see things for himself and expressed hope that succour will come their way soon.
Offong used the opportunity to appeal to the federal lawmaker to extend the solar-powered street light project to Ikot Ukpong, as well as include more youths of the village in his empowerment programme.
