Tension in Bayelsa over oil multinational ,ConOil refusal to allow JIV Team conduct sample test over Jan 16th oil spillage

There is rising tension in Koluama community of Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa state over the refusal of the Oil multinational, ConOil to participate in the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) for the collection and conduct of sample test over the massive crude oil spillage in the area.

The JIV team, led by officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), State Ministry of Environment (SMENV),Community representatives and operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) were on Thursday frustrated by the refusal of the ConOil management during a visit to take sample of the oil spillage in the area.

WATCH VIDEO:

The Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa Governor on Oil and Gas, Chief Timi Seimiebo, who led the delegation, expressed frustration over the attitude of the oil multinationals refusal to participate in the sample collection and test,” they know that if they are not involved, the credibility of the JIV visit is faulted. When the community boys starts invading their facilities, they will come after them. But the Bayelsa Government will stand by them.”

“We are here at the ConOil facility. When we wanted to visit, they said we did not write officially. But we have written and they have refused to allow us access. We are only here to collect samples and they have refused us access. We have no other option but to go back and tell the state Governor, Douye Diri the situation before it degenerates.”

“Since they refused, we have done what we are supposed to do and we conclude that the oil spill belong to the ConOil. We have been restraining the community youths but we may be forced to allow the youths to take action. We have done all ur possible best as a government. We have spent millions to ensure that the right thing to be done.”

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kolumama Community Oil and Gas Committee, Jonathan Amabebe, confirmed that despite all entreaties, the ConOil refused the JIV team access to oil sample from the oil multinationals well head, “this is the same way they have refused to participate in the negotiation of a new Memorandum of Understanding with the community. If there is need to shut down ConOil to drive home the point, the community may do that.”

It would be recalled that the controversial oil spillage which occurred last week in the Koluama community of Bayelsa State has triggered controversy following the statement by Chevron Oil Company that they were not responsible for the spillage as earlier claimed by the indigenes of the community.

While Chevron Oil limited owned Funiwa oil platform in the area, the ConOil limited is the owners of Auntie Julie oil platform in the area. Chevron has allowed the JIV team to take needed samples but the ConOil management has refused the team access.

The massive oil spillage, which had further spread across over seven kilometers, since it occurred on the 16th of January, 2021, it has affected the aquatic life of the people of the area with dead and rotten fishes being washed ashore and livelihood of the koluama indigenes, which is predominantly fishing, halted.

Comments

comments