…seek intervention of NASS for legal framework
By Gloria Ikibah
Aieto and Nigeria Agip (now Oando) Oil companies have given different submissions before the House of Representatives’ Environment Committee, during the ongoing investigative hearing into oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and their environmental impact in oil-producing states on Tuesday in Abuja.
The hearing was occasioned by a lot of petitions from host communities affected by Aieto’s and Oando’s operations, who drew special attention on the environmental and economic concerns caused by oil spills and sabotage.
Both companies stressed the need for legislative intervention by the House of Representatives to create legal framework that discourages acts harmful to the nation’s economy and ecosystem.
Oando Team Lead, Philip Akuduro, blamed a significant portion of oil spillage on host communities, citing theft and vandalism as primary causes.
He stated, “Data by Oando on Burutu in Southern Ijaw revealed that virtually over 90% of oil theft and pipeline vandalism were perpetrated by members of the host communities, whose increasing penance and capacity to steal from the common well knows no bounds.”
“Host communities are individually and collectively sabotaging efforts of oil companies to minimize incidences of spillages in their area. Our operations, largely covering onshore and marshy areas, are easily accessible to vandals. Their activities result in spillage and pollution, as oil spills are swiftly spread by strong underwater currents.”
But members of the committee, mostly from the Niger Delta region, led by Chairman Rep. Julius Pondi (representing Ijaw South), vehemently were against the generalized accusations.
They particularly objected to the terms “increasing appetite and capacities for theft,” and therefore urged Oando to withdraw the statement, which the company did spot-on.
Chief Operating Officer of Aieto, Ewarezi Useh, who emphasised the importance of maintaining a good relationship with host communities, however noted that vested interests often lead to conflicts between oil companies and local communities.
Useh credited such clashes to the significant drop in production to 700,000 barrels per day in 2018, which later improved through the efforts of combined security stakeholders.
Rep. Julius Pondi reaffirmed the commitment of the committee to address the root causes of environmental degradation and pollution caused by oil company operations.
He disclosed that there will be an oversight visit to Oando’s operation sites in Delta State to verify their claims of cleaning up the aftermath of a May 2024 oil spill in the area.