Chief Okon Akpanowong, a community leader in Ibeno in Akwa Ibom, has criticised the suspension of the clean-up of Atlantic coastline contaminated by an oil spill on Aug.13.
The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) had ordered Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) to clean up the coastline within its Qua Iboe oil fields.
Reacting to the suspension, Akpanowong said that he participated in the meetings with officials of Mobil on the clean-up exercise but regretted that no action had been taken two weeks after.
?“It was resolved two weeks ago amongst all stakeholders, namely Mobil, Community and regulators, including Ministry of Environment that clean-up be extended for additional 10 days.
“We, therefore, do not know why the extension has not yet resumed, we signed all the papers and there is no reason to justify this delay of two weeks.
“The impact on the coastline environment is serious because it affects our fishing population, the grasses along the sea coast and aquatic life as well,” he said.
Akpanowong explained that the abandoned spill impacted site had contaminated new areas that were originally not affected due to the changing direction of sea currents.
Mr Irvin Obot, Zonal Director of NOSDRA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the agency was concerned and worried about the suspension of the clean-up exercise.
“ I got a report that the clean-up has not resumed, but I will get across to find out what the issue is,” Obot said.
NAN recalls that Mobil had in a statement on Aug. 19, accepted to clean the coastline as directed by NOSDRA.
The oil firm also stated that the source of the oil found on the coastline within its operation was unknown.
However, Mr Nigel Cookey-Gam, Communications Manager of Mobil, in response to the suspension of coastline clean-up and its impact on the environment, said that the clean-up would soon resume.
Cookey-Gam said: “the contractors have been engaged and they will deploy personnel shortly.’’ (NAN)