Olayiwola Matthew
The House of Representatives on Wednesday summoned the managing directors of Aiteo E & P Company, Victor Okoronkwo and Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Bolondi Fabrizio, to appear within seven days over oil spillage at Olugboboro community in Southern Ijaw.
Chairman of the House joint Committee on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum (downstream), Pondi Gbabador, disclosed this in Abuja at the commencement of the investigation into the incident.
He said that the oil industry played a critical role in the economic development of the country, adding that it contributes significantly to the national income, provides employment, and supports infrastructure development in various regions.
According to him, the contribution by the oil companies should not be at the expense of the health, wellbeing, and livelihood of the people in the host communities, nor the expense of the environment.
He said: “You may recall that the House of Representatives, at its sitting of Tuesday, March 12, 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 its committees on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Midstream) to: Investigate the 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 weeks.”