Oil Spill at Aja-Osolo: Delta government threatens to invoke environmental laws against oil company, what happened is unacceptable – Agbateyiniro

Delta State Government, has threatened to invoke environmental laws against Continental Oil and Gas Limited, as a result of the company’s perceived nonchalance regarding oil spill that reportedly occurred three weeks ago, at Aja-Osolo Community in Warri South Local Government Area.

Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Jamani T. Ejiro, handed down the warning Monday December 16, when the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, took him on an inspection visit at Aja-Osolo Community.

Hon. Ejiro, who was visibly shocked at the extent of damage the oil spill, has caused to aquatic lives, investment in livestock and health hazard to human lives, noted: “We received a petition against Continental Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, from Aja-Osolo people three weeks ago on the oil spill allegedly caused by the company and the cause of spill is yet unknown.

“The company involved, is supposed to invite us for Joint Investigation Visit, JIV. All oil companies operating in Delta State, have my contact and email, once issues of oil spills occur, they send email to us to be part of JIV.

“As at the time of this visit to the impacted community, I haven’t received email or any correspondence from the company involved.”

Whilst assuring that the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, won't abandon people of Aja-Osolo community and the oil spill won't be swept under the carpet, the Commissioner, appealed to people Aja-Osolo to remain calm, saying they will hear from the state government between Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Some impacted fish ponds at Aja-Osolo Community, where aquatic lives worth millions of Naira, were completely destroyed

The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, while speaking to newsmen, averred: “What has happened, is unacceptable, the people responsible haven't deemed it fit to come and do the needful, that makes it more compounding.”

Comr. Agbateyiniro appealed to the people of Aja-Osolo community, not to take the laws into their hands, assuring that the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has good heart and concern for clean and sustainable environment.

The Chairman of Aja-Osolo community, Comr. Julius Ogbeni, stated that the spill occurred about three weeks ago and the company involved, hadn’t responded despite attempts to reach them.

Comrade Julius Ogbeni, fielding questions from Newsmen at the community, while other community indigenes listen

While stating that river was their major source of income and aquatic lives in the river have been totally destroyed due to the spill, Comr. Ogbeni called for the intervention of Delta State Government and urged Continental Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, to immediately provide relief materials to Aja-Osolo indigenes.

The Auditor of Aja-Osolo Community, Pst. Raymond Aboritsedueye, bemoaned the damages the spill had caused to the community, pleading for the state government’s immediate intervention.

A fish farmer in Aja-Osolo Community, Patience Omatseye, who suffered the impact of the oil spill, said the spill destroyed her fishing nets and produce from the river.

The Assistant Public Relations Officer, PRO of Aja-Osolo community youth body, Destiny Ogbeni, described the extent of damage caused by the spill, saying it affected surrounding rivers.

According to him, the community does not have good drinking water and lacks health centre, urging Delta State Government and the Warri South Local Government, to compel Continental Oil and Gas Limited, to do the needful.

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