The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the
state and age of operational equipment used by oil exploration companies
in the country.
This followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Goodluck Opiah (Imo/PDP) on the need to investigate oil pollution in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta local government areas of Imo State and adopted by the lawmakers.
Opiah, who described the affected areas as operational base of Agip Oil Company, said that the areas suffered oil spillage and fire explosions that were avoidable.
Leading debates, Opiah pointed out the need to investigate the state of equipment used by Agip Oil Company in its 50 years of operations in the communities.
“The recent one (oil spill) at Ebocha-Egbema led to a stoppage of exploration of crude oil, and consequent loss of over 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day,’’ Opiah told lawmakers.
He alleged that virtually all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta use substandard and outdated equipment that are unsafe and pollute the environment.
“They (oil companies) have little regard for the safety of lives and property of the host communities,’’ the lawmaker alleged.
Speaking in support of the motion, Hon. Aliyu Magaji (Jigawa/APC) said there was need to regularly monitor the activities of the oil companies to ensure they complied with the extant laws regulating their operations.
“There is need to find out if these oil companies are actually doing what they are supposed to do. There is also need to ensure their facilities are monitored to guarantee they are up to standard and this is crucial in averting poor maintenance services,’’ Magaji stated.
Culled from Leadership
This followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Goodluck Opiah (Imo/PDP) on the need to investigate oil pollution in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta local government areas of Imo State and adopted by the lawmakers.
Opiah, who described the affected areas as operational base of Agip Oil Company, said that the areas suffered oil spillage and fire explosions that were avoidable.
Leading debates, Opiah pointed out the need to investigate the state of equipment used by Agip Oil Company in its 50 years of operations in the communities.
“The recent one (oil spill) at Ebocha-Egbema led to a stoppage of exploration of crude oil, and consequent loss of over 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day,’’ Opiah told lawmakers.
He alleged that virtually all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta use substandard and outdated equipment that are unsafe and pollute the environment.
“They (oil companies) have little regard for the safety of lives and property of the host communities,’’ the lawmaker alleged.
Speaking in support of the motion, Hon. Aliyu Magaji (Jigawa/APC) said there was need to regularly monitor the activities of the oil companies to ensure they complied with the extant laws regulating their operations.
“There is need to find out if these oil companies are actually doing what they are supposed to do. There is also need to ensure their facilities are monitored to guarantee they are up to standard and this is crucial in averting poor maintenance services,’’ Magaji stated.
Culled from Leadership
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