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By Uwem Ekoh
… Citizens send SOS to government.
Gas explosion has sparked panic and destruction in Urua Essien Etuk village and the neighboring community in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area and rendered the people homeless and frustrated, following the drilling of oil by the British Oil and Gas Exploration Limited (BOGEL).
Investigation reveals that the villagers have been severly affected by the gas pollution as a result of what experts described as negligence and unprofessional manner of the BOGEL operation.
BOGEL started operations in May 2024 in Rig 15 Ete-04 and on the 10th July,2024 as gathered was a gas explosion caused by the company that polluted the community without remedy and their action is contrary to the waste management laws of Akwa Ibom State.
Upon this urgly development, BOGEL oil base mud and water mud that should have been treated and disposed in accordance to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission ( NUPRC/DPR) standards and policies of waste management have been violated and abandoned, leading to the destruction of aquatic lives and human health.
It was further learnt that the explosion has rendered indigenes of the community particularly, Urua Essien Etuk helpless and has also caused untold hardship to the people as their farmlands, stream/river which remain the only sources of livelihood were badly condemned and damaged, while many villagers are having health challenges because of the BOGEL manance.
The drilling operation which is still on going by the same company has been in default of the Corporation Social Responsibilities as enshrined in the Local Content Act 2010.
The village head of Urua Essien Etuk, Eteidung Godwin George was affected by the gas pollution and he is currently suffering from cancer of the leg through and open wound which he contacted cancerous virus from the village stream/river that BOGEL dumped without considering the side effects to the people.
Speaking with our Reporter over the weekend, Eteidung Godwin George decried the insensitivity and poor treatment meted out to them by BOGEL, saying that the company has blatantly neglected them and refused to pay them compensation for the damages.
He further complained bitterly about behaviours of the management of the company which according to him, was unfriendly and disclosed that series of letters were written to the company for negotiation and compensation but their efforts proved abortive.
He appealed to Governor Umo Eno to wade into the matter in order to give them succor and a healthy leaving.
He said, I beg our Governor, Pastor Umo Emo to urgently intervene in the matter before we die. I want the local government and the state to help us and call BOGEL to order because our situation is unbearable”.
In their separate comments, the youth leader and the women leader in the village, Mr. Udeme Love Lawrence and Mrs Uduak Aniefiok Udoh respectively confirmed that BOGEL gas explosion has deserted them from the village.
They lamented that the company has sidelined them in their operation, disclosing that BOGEL has employed only five indigenes of the village.
They noted with displeasure that their roads have been condemned because of the heavy equipment of the BOGEL, adding that the palace of the village is nothing to write home about.
Meanwhile, officers of Nigerian Civil Defence Corps visited the company last Thursday to acertain the rate of demages by the gas explosion, following the petition by the community.
Addressing the visitors on arrival, the Chief Security Officer of the company, Mr Ekpo Ubaha Mfon acknowledged the intention of the visit of the NSCDC officers but emphatically told them that he will not allow them access to the company’s facilities, giving reason for lack of Personal Protective Equipment and as such would not guarantee their safety.
Report has it that the officials were denied access to the company’s facilities.
