By MICHAEL EBOH

The Federal Government has announced plans to undertake the restoration of vandalized pipeline sites at Arepo, Ogun State, Diamond Estate, Lagos and other communities where oil spills were recorded either due to activities of vandals or oil exploration.

Speaking during an inspection of vandalized pipeline sites at Arepo and Diamond Estate, Lagos, Mrs. Joy Nunieh-Okunnu, National Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project, HYPREP, said a proper environmental impact assessment, EIA, will be carried out on the affected sites to determine the level of pollution.

Nunieh-Okunnu, who was received at Arepo by officials of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos Chapter, led by its President, Mr. Deji Elumoye, and Chairman of the Community Development Association, CDA, at the site, Mr. Gbayode Somuyiwa, said HYPREP will ensure that it restored the affected communities to their former state, making them habitable for human and other living things.

She also stated that the decision to conduct an EIA at Arepo, Diamond Estate and other affected areas is in response to the directives of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, who insisted that both sites should be given urgent attention.

Nunieh-Okunnu said the visit followed a series of petitions by the affected communities to their various state governments and other government agencies.

She said, “We intend to undertake an assessment of the environments at Arepo, Diamond Estate and other sites to determine the level of pollution and environmental degradation. Once it is ascertained that the vandalisation and oil exploration activities have led to the pollution of the environment, we will immediately begin the process of restoration of the communities.

“It is important to note that our duty is to restore the affected communities to a habitable state and not compensation of the communities.”

She solicited the support of the communities, warning that the government will not intervene in any community where the people continually vandalise petroleum products pipeline.

She disclosed that HYPREP is serving as a mediator between the communities and the government, adding that it is determined to leave a legacy for generations yet unborn.

Also speaking, Mr. Kolapo Abiodun, President, Diamond Estate Residents Association, called for urgent intervention of the government in saving the community from the dangers posed by oil pollution.

According to him, accessing potable water is becoming a serious challenge in the estate, as their various sources of water have been polluted by petroleum products.

“All our wells have been contaminated, they are filled with oil, even some of our boreholes have been contaminated too, making it difficult for us to access potable water,” he stated.