The Odio Community?in Eket,?Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday set up an oil spill committee to stem the incessant occurrence of spillage in the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the setting up of the committee?is in reaction to the recent oil spill reported at the Qua Iboe Oil Fields.
Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), operator of the Qua Iboe fields, had in a statement, confirmed a spillage on Nov. 9, when crude oil was discharged into the Atlantic Ocean from its field.
The spillage subsequently polluted the coastline in Akwa Ibom.
Inaugurating the seven-member committee at the Odio community centre, Chief Hanson Inyang, the Chairman of the Community Council, said that the spillage had impacted seven fishing communities.
He said that fishing ports in Afaha Ukwa, Ikot Afaha, Idung-Otukwak, Ekiki, Nnim Emi, Ine-Odio and Odoro-Ikot were worst hit.
Inyang charged the committee to immediately monitor developments on the latest spill and ensure that victims received adequate compensation?to cushion the?effect of the oil spill.
He advised members of the committee to establish the extent of damages and losses incurred by individuals and communities; compute the claims and pass same to appropriate authorities.
Responding, the?Chairman of the committee, Dr Samson Ebito, appealed to those affected by the spillage to remain calm.
He said that the management of MPN had pledged to take responsibility for the spill and assist victims.
He solicited the support of community leaders to enable the committee carry out its task effectively.
Ebito pledged to draw from his experience as an environmental protection expert to ensure remediation of the impact of the spill. (NAN)