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An advocacy group committed to environmental justice in Akwa Ibom State, Akwa Ibom Oil Producing Community Development Network, has called on the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to intervene in the gas explosion in Ibeno and other adjoining communities.
The explosion which occurred on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024 reportedly from one of ExxonMobil tanks, followed a massive oil spill which polluted the water bodies and destroyed aquatic animals of more than 27 coastal communities.
In a letter addressed to the NUPRC Zonal Coordinator, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday, the group lamented that the noxious hydrocarbon discharged has compounded the already worsened health and environmental issues in the affected communities.
The group which claimed it holds an irrevocable power of attorney donated by the paramount rulers of the 31 local government areas of the state or their representatives said that the explosion emitted heavy smoke of carbon and other dangerous gaseous pollutants into the atmosphere.
The letter, titled ‘Discharge of Toxic Hydrocarbon into Ibeno and Adjoining Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State: Demand for Immediate Remediation, Compensation and Preventive Control of Future Occurrence,’ was signed by the President General of the group, Dr Ufot Phenson and Secretary, Emmanuel Bassey, respectively.
The letter stated, “We write to notify you of the incident of gas explosion from Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited facility in Ibeno Local Government Area on Tuesday, 10th September 2024, which caused earth tremor and fire outbreak flaming so high with heavy smoke of carbon and other dangerous gaseous pollutants into the atmosphere.
“The gaseous smoke also covered the environment of the entire communities in Ibeno Local Government Area and spread around to other adjoining local councils of Eket, ONNA, Esit Eket, Eastern Obolo, Ikot Abasi, Mbo, Urue-Offong/Uruko, Oron, etc. following the direction of the wind.
“The carbon in the atmosphere precipitated in the form of acid rain on rooftops of buildings, Atlantic Ocean, Qua Iboe river and other water surfaces in creeks, streams, swamps and fish ponds.
“It also affected vegetation and farmlands following the direction of the wind impacting the entire communities of Ibeno and beyond with attendant degradation of environment, human rights abuse and detrimental health hazards.
“The amount of noxious hydrocarbon fumes discharged, engulfing the environment and buildings was alarming resulting in panic and some people falling sick and are treating themselves in the hospitals due to inhalation of the polluted air.
“This ugly development has compounded the already worsened environmental and poor health situation of the people of these areas as they are finding it very difficult to recover from the recent massive oil spill in the area which destroyed the means of livelihood of the people as it impacted the entire coastal communities in Akwa Ibom State.
“We, therefore, appeal to the zonal coordinator as a matter of urgency to intervene in this ugly development to assuage the discomfort and other challenges confronting the people occasioned by the unmindful and harmful economic activities of international and local oil companies operating in the state.”
The group therefore called on the agency to to prevail on MPNU to remediate the affected lands and water bodies and pay compensation to the explosion victims in line with globally accepted polluter–Pays–Principle enshrined in NOSDRA Regulations 25 and 26 of 2011.”
It added “Given the above, we hereby demand the following:
To prevail on MPNU to immediately remediate the affected lands and water bodies in the impacted LGAs to restore them to their original state.
“Installation of effective control measures in MPNU facilities (both on- and off-shore) to reduce the emission of fumes, sooth and toxic pollutants into the environment within permissible limits.
“MPNU should give appropriate medical attention to people of the host communities of the company through regular medical outreaches and financial assistance for proper medical evaluation with relevant specialists.
“Immediate payment of compensation to the Gas Explosion Victims for the destruction of properties and means of livelihood of the people, etc., in line with Globally Accepted Polluter–Pays–Principle enshrined in NOSDRA Regulations 25 and 26 of 2011.
“As a matter of urgency, MPNU should establish a health insurance package to cover the people of their host communities of Akwa Ibom State as done in their home countries to guarantee safety and well-being of the people.”
The management of ExxonMobil had, while reacting to the incident through its Public and Government Affairs Officer, Nigel Cookey-Gam, admitted that the company experienced a process upset resulting in a briefly elevated flare in it Qua Iboe Terminal in Ibeno, adding that QIT Production was shut as a precautionary measure to manage the situation.
Cookey-Gam said, “We experienced a process upset that resulted in a briefly elevated flare within our Qua Iboe Terminal in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State. As a precautionary measure, QIT production was shut in to manage the situation.
“As a result, power supply to the neighbouring community was impacted temporarily but was restored within 2 hours.
“MPN remains committed to the highest standards of safety and environmental practices in our operations.”
Recall that the group had earlier written to NOSDRA on the same issue.
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