…Gives Agip 2-week ultimatum to vacate land

By Emma Amaize & Chancel Sunday

BOMADI— THE people of Tuomo oil community, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, have cried out over the outbreak of airborne diseases in their area, which they blamed on frequent gas explosions by an oil exploration company.

Traditional head of the community, Chief Samuel Emakpor, who spoke to Vanguard, said: “The problem here is the outbreak of airborne diseases as recently detected. We observed that diseases such as eye infection, smallpox and difficulty in breathing surfaced here of recent.”

Also, host communities to National Agip Oil Company, NAOC, in Delta and Bayelsa states have complained of neglect by the oil firm,  which they accused of frequently causing gas explosions in their communities and denying responsibility.

According to Chief Emakpor, “when some of the victims were rushed to the hospital, doctors said they are airborne diseases, which means that Agip is rather killing us. I call on Agip to urgently address the situation.

“I went personally to Agip in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and laid complaint in their office. But, they told me that the gas when exploded goes to God and there is no effect on humans and the environment. As a layman, I believe that is the reason for the current situation on ground.

“We want Agip to pay  attention to us now. They said the company has nothing to give to host communities and we also have decided at our last meeting that Agip should pack and leave within two weeks so that we will have peace.”

Reacting to the claim that gas flares have no effect on the people, Chairman of Bomadi community, Mr Joseph Bekesuoyeibo, said: “It is a strong lie for some people to say gas explosion has no effect on the environment.

“Though gas is not seen physically, it has its own effects, either long-term or short-term effects. It is my appeal that Agip should do the right thing at the right time, otherwise host communities will not be friendly to them in terms of their operations.”

The Community Liaison Officer, CLO, of Agip, Chief Napoleon, told representatives of host communities, earlier in their meeting, at Bomadi, that gas leak had no negative effects on the environment and as such, the company was not liable to pay compensation whatsoever to the host communities.

Meanwhile, Tuomo and Ayamasa host communities to Agip in Bomadi and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of Delta and Bayelsa states, have warned that failure to do the needful to cushion the negative effects resulting from the incessant equipment failure on the Tuomo-Ogboinbiri Gas Line, which again exploded, last week, would further strain the already soured relationship with the company.