Press Release
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to pay compensation to some communities in Akwa Ibom State affected by oil spill and environmental devastation.
Consequently, the House directed the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to urgently investigate, clean up, and remediate such communities as Idung Urom Isor, Obon Odor, Edem Idim, and other neighbouring ones in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance presented on the floor of the House by the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem.
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Following Idem’s motion on the “urgent need for Federal Government’s intervention in the oil spill and environmental devastation in Idung Urom Isor, Obon Odor, Edem Idim, and neighbouring communities in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, the House mandated NOSDRA and the relevant oil companies to provide relief and compensation to residents affected by the oil spills.
The House further prevailed on the Federal Government to recognise Idung Urom Isor and neighbouring communities as oil-producing areas and extend to them the benefits and interventions available to other oil-producing regions in Nigeria.
The Federal Legislature also resolved to direct the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Federal Ministry of Regional Development to undertake immediate infrastructural and livelihood support projects in the affected communities.
The House also mandated the House Committees on Environment, Petroleum (Upstream), and NDDC to follow up the implementation of this resolution, carry out an on-the-spot assessment, and report to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
Earlier, the Ukanafun-born politician had decried sufferings facing the affected communities over continuous oil spills and environmental degradation since the 70s due to crude oil exploration activities initially carried out under Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13 operated by Shell BP, later reclassified as OML 051 and subsequently managed by different operators over time.
Part of his motion reads “despite decades of oil exploration, these communities have never been recognized as oil-producing areas and have been denied the benefits, compensations, and developmental projects accorded to other oil-bearing regions in Nigeria.”
“Concerned that the persistent oil spillages have contaminated water sources, destroyed farmlands, killed aquatic life, and subjected residents to economic hardship and health risks, with visible crude oil floating on streams and rivers used for drinking and domestic purposes.”
“Also concerned that all appeals and petitions by the affected communities to National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Shell BP, and other relevant agencies have yielded no result, while similar affected areas such as Ogoni land have received federal intervention and environmental clean-up projects.
“Recognizes the urgent need for government intervention to prevent further environmental degradation, restore livelihoods, and ensure justice for the affected communities who have suffered prolonged neglect and deprivation for over five decades.”
