The member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Rt.Hon. Unyime Idem, has called on relevant government agencies to step up their oversight functions on oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region.
The lawmaker stated this when he visited the site where a gas pipeline owned by Savannah Energy is leaking between Ikot Ukpong and Ikot Inyang Abia Villages in Ukanafun Local Government Area.
He particularly condemned the nonchalant attitude of Savannah Energy in not carrying out regular surveillance on their infrastructure.
Hon Idem therefore called 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.
According to the lawmaker, this will keep the oil firms on their toes to ensure surveillance of their facilities across the region.
Rep. Idem, who chairs the House Committee on Public Procurement, said his visit to the scene and interaction with the residents and stakeholders, revealed that there was hitherto no surveillance on the gas facility at all, thus necessitating his call for Savannah Energy to commence one immediately.
In his words, “It is therefore necessary for Savannah Energy to assess the environmental impact on the affected villages and quickly fix the emission.
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.
On compensation to the affected communities, Idem 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 the gas emission.
The federal lawmaker also promised to give the situation the legislative push necessary in order to get adequate benefits for the affected communities.
Also speaking, the village head of one of the affected communities, Ikot Ukpong, Chief Ndianabasi Monday Offong, 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.
He 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.
Responding, Idem assured the monarch that Ikot Ukpong will be captured in the next phase of the community light-up project, and that more youths from the village will be accommodated in his empowerment scheme.
