Environmental groups have called relevant government agencies to be proactive on issues concerning environmental pollution and oil spills, following a massive oil pollution currently ravaging the Forcados area and the Okuntu and neighboring communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to reports by the community, the oil spill was caused by a fire incident on a floating production storage and offloading facility.

Okuntu community which is in Ogulagha kingdom is close to Ibabebe (Isiayegbene) and Odimodi (Beniboye) communities, all along the Forcados area, are also affected by the pollution.

Speaking on the issue, the Executive Director of Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), Benin Richard, faulted the Federal Government, Delta State Ministry of Environment, and the Commissioner for Environment on its failure to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the incident or issue a statement regarding this environmental disaster in Okuntu.

Communities groan

According to him, the people of Odimodi (Beniboye), Okuntu, and Ogulagha communities and the ecosystem are under assault, and it is imperative that the authorities take immediate action to address this situation.

He urged the Commissioner for Environment to visit the affected area promptly, providing hope and reassurance to the affected communities.

“We demand a comprehensive assessment, prompt cleanup, and adequate compensation for those affected. The government must take responsibility for ensuring the well-being of its citizens and the protection of the environment.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for justice and relief for the people of Odimodi (Beniboye), Okuntu, Ogulagha and adjoining communities,” he said.

Lending his voice on the issue, the Executive Director of Environmental Defenders Network, Chima Williams, stated that the neglect of the local communities affected by oil pollution has become one too many in the Niger Delta, stressing that such neglect by the relevant agencies has driven communities in the Niger Delta into deep levels of poverty, as the people rely on their environment for survival.

Williams also called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to immediately swing into action, and to compel the polluting company to clean up the polluted environment around Okuntu and other communities.

Fisherwoman laments

A fisherwoman from the community, Baby Oziye lamented that the pollution has caused hunger in their community, as several people are now hospitalized after drinking their water, following the pollution caused by the spill.

She added that the fisher folk are unable to carry out their fishing activities, causing hunger among the people.

Another community member, Akin Ayigo who also spoke on the issue lamented that after the fire incident and pollution, neither the company nor the government has done anything about the issue.

He added that fishing boats are afraid to go close to the polluted area due to the high level of chemical concentration in the area. He called on the relevant agencies to swiftly swing into action.

On his part, the chairman of Okuntu community Mofort Mebilaje stated that a fire broke out on the 18th of July from the facility, which caused crude oil and other chemicals to drift ashore, polluting the coastline of Okuntu and other communities.

He revealed that the people of the community are unable to carry out their fishing and farming activities which has crumbled the economy of the community, pushing the people into hunger and starvation.

He added that the community had tried to escalate the issue to the company without any response.

Mofort called on the federal and state governments to intervene on the issue and prevail on the company to constitute a Joint Investigation Visit to the community to determine the level of pollution and to send relief materials to the community.