DPR debunks crude oil discovery claims in Abuja

Assertions of fresh crude oil discovery at Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has been debunked by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Early January, there were reports of crude oil findings at Gade in Kuje, however, DPR on Wednesday described these reports as “erroneous”.

According to the director of DPR, Osten Olorunsola, who was represented by an official of DPR, Abuja zonal office, Samuel Waplang, statutory analysis of the site disclosed that the discovery was a mistaken spillage of petroleum products from an underground storage tank which had contaminated water wells in Gade.

DPR said that it had become necessary to dispel such erroneous discovery which was widely reported in the media considering the impact of the spill to the health of the community.

Meanwhile, the agency claims to have initiated measures to forestall possible fire outbreak at the spill site.

Olorunsola said, “This campaign, although targeted at residents of Kuje area council, is an ongoing programme aimed at enlightening Nigerians on the safety implications inherent in mishandling of hydrocarbon substances and its spills”.

“Recently, the incidence of contaminated well water at Gade in Kuje was widely reported by several national newspapers. The erroneous impression that made the round was that crude oil was discovered in Kuje, but for the intervention of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria police and other local vigilance group, we would have had a messy situation in our hands.”

Continuing, he said, “Towards ascertaining the true situation of things, staff of the DPR, Abuja zonal office conducted several statutory investigations. Arising from the foregoing, it became expedient to carry out this awareness to sensitise the residents on the dangers of hydrocarbon spills as well as the laws and regulation regarding safety in the oil and gas industry.”

DPR also noted that Kuje has become notorious for harbouring unregistered dealers in petroleum products.

It disclosed that most underground and surface storage tanks used for petroleum products in Kuje were not registered with it and as such it will demand for immediate legal propriety in conduct of oil trade in the community.

AMETO AKPE, Abuja