By EMMA AMAIZE

WARRI — OPIA community in Warri North Local Government Area, has called on both federal and state governments to prevail on Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, to mitigate environmental consequence of crude oil spillage in their community which occurred on July 17, 2013, allegedly caused by equipment failure.

The community also wants Chevron to pay compensation for polluting its environment and cater for the medical bills of Opia women, who were allegedly beaten up by the company’s security officials when they protested against the company in Dibi oil field, on October 6.

But Chevron denied that the spillage was due to equipment failure, saying it was an act of sabotage.

Leaders of the community, Moses Odibo, Mr Ebi Eyenim, Nelson Butara and Darlington Lelekumo, who narrated the ordeal of the people to newsmen, said following the spill, which occurred, on July 17, Chevron mobilized a servicing company to carry out repairs on the damaged pipeline from which the fire erupted.

They said: “First joint investigation visit was conducted on the site on July 23, 2013, followed by the second one on the September 30, 2013. Upon these visit we had expected Chevron Nigeria Limited to deploy relief materials to cushion the adverse effect of the oil spill, which caused varying degree of destruction to environment activities which is our main economic potential.

“But nothing was done in this regard. Instead Chevron Nigeria mobilized a servicing company to effect repair on the damaged pipeline. The pipe line was brought to the surface and observed by the JIV team comprising D.P.R, NOSDRA, Delta State Ministry of Environment Officials and communities’ executive and the damage was found to have been caused by the equipment failure.”

Vanguard was told that the Chevron official that was present sounded a discordant tone, saying it was as a result of sabotage and third party involvement.

“Consequently, he declined to sign off the JIV result forms on September 30th 2013.

The community said Chevron called for a meeting with some of its leaders for a resolution, which ended in a deadlock,” they added.

“No position/agreement was reached. Chevron does not want to accept the responsibility of failure of their equipment” they added.