Reps tackle oil companies over $5bn gas flaring, environmental pollution

Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday expressed concern over the lackadaisical attitude of oil companies operating in the country towards ending gas flaring estimated at over $5 billion yearly from over 257 flow stations in the Niger Delta.

Obinna Chidoka, chairman House Committee on Environment and Habitat expressed the concern during interactive session with representatives of oil and gas Companies, selected Civil Society Organisations and host communities, held at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

Chidoka who frowned at the development, said: “it is also established that 950 total recorded incidences of oil spill occurred in 2015 with a volume of 47,775.49 barrels impacting 595,800 square meters. Out of this, only 27.78% were cleaned.

“In 2016, so far 499 spills have been recorded, the record stated that 28,543.69 barrels were spilled covering 595,800 square meters areas of impact.

“Further available statistics in 2015 shows that Addax Oil company recorded two incidence of spills, AP Moler 2, Chevron 14, Conoil Producing Ltd 2, Mobil Producing Nigeria 63, Agip 71, NPDC 10, SEPLAT 8, Shell Petroleum Development Company 28, among others.

“Subsequently in 2016, total incidences of spill indicates that Agip has 43 recorded spills so far, Mobil Producing Nigeria 26, Shell Petroleum Development Company 18, Chevron 8 and Nigeria Petroleum Development Company 9,” Chidoka said.

While expressing displeasure over the spate of flaring of associated gas, oil spillages and discharge of untreated effluents into the canals, rivers and seas, bemoaned the plight of millions of Nigerians living in various host communities who were impacted negatively by the activities of oil companies involved in oil exploration.

“Though one understands the scenario of the pains, hurts, hardship of the host communities particularly in the Niger Delta region who bear the brunt of pollutions attendant on the operations of the oil and gas Companies on their livelihoods, arable lands, water, etc, yet the action of  some locals in pipeline breakages and local crude oil refining activities equally does a lot of harm to the environment and health of the local community,” he lamented.

He however, reiterated  Government’s commitment towards domestication of all international conventions and treaties as well as the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni land, stressing that the Committee has been inundated with several petitions bothering on alleged violations of the environment by operations of oil and gas companies.

While speaking on behalf of the host communities, traditional Rulers and leaders of the affected communities in Rivers and Delta states, accused National Oil Spill Response Agency (NOSDRA) of conniving with oil companies by subduing the interests of the host communities.

In his submission, Chinese Igwe, who spoke on behalf of the 12 communities of Ogbaland, Onelga of River State, decried the neglect of the communities by Agip.

He lamneted that the oil spill has created a lot of damages of farmlands and produces, death of livestock and animals as well as livelihood of thousands of people living in the communities.

On his part, Ciroma Clande, who spoke on behalf of the Brass Host Community explained that the Minister of Environment recently visited the community where the oil spill occurred at Agip Carnal.

Also speaking, Osteen Igbapeke, who represented Agge, Aghoro, 19 fishing Co-operative societies in Burutu and Ekperemu LGA of Delta state, called for the removal of the NOSDRA Director General for failing to perform creditably.

He alleged that the agency has over the past years failed to implement various recommendations of post impact assessment report and the JIV reports in line with the NOSDRA Act.

In his remarks, Ayodele Gatta, who spoke on behalf of Ovwuovwu community of Delta state, accused NPDC of dumping toxic waste from the two oil wells during the exploration activities in the community.

According to him, “when rain falls what they experience is acid rain, after every raining season, it has become a custom that they have to change their roofs,” Gatta said, while explaining the plight of over 1,000 people living in the community.

In their presentations however, representatives of the oil companies who denied the allegations, argued that three out of four cases of oil spills were caused by sabotage and Niger Delta Avengers.

They also informed the Committee of various work plans towards reducing gas flaring including installation of compressors and wast recycling plants aimed at achieving zero gas flaring in the nearest future.

Kingsley Opuene, Assistant Manager, Oil Spill Control NAOC Limited, disclosed that the company has reduced its gas flaring from 12% of gas produced per day in 3012 to 5.2% gas produced per day.

He also explained that the company has compiled with extant regulations guiding Petroleum Industry in Nigeria as well as international best practice.