Yenagoa—The Bayelsa State House of Assembly Thursday passed a three-point resolution demanding the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to urgently send relief materials and medical aid to Sangana Community in Brass local government area of the state.
The resolution also called on National Assembly Members representing Bayelsa State to raise the issue on the floor of both Houses of National Assembly as a matter of urgent public importance.
It further called on Federal and State Governments to relocate the inhabitants of the community to a safer area, stressing that the explosion has caused health hazards as residents desert their communities.
The House resolution is following a motion moved by Dr. Charles Daniel, lawmaker representing Brass Constituency 1, wherein he informed his colleagues of the impact of the explosion on the inhabitants of the community.
Charles stated that the explosion which has lasted for over four days has disrupted the livelihood of the people who are predominantly farmers and fishermen.
He called on relevant agencies of government and Conoil Nigeria Limited, in OML 59, Otuo Oil Field to set up measures to put off the leakages and curb the hazardous spread to neighboring communities like Nembe, Ogbia, Southern Ijaw and other communities.
Seconding the motion Rt. Hon. Tonye Isenah and Honourables Tare Porri, Michael Ogbere, Bernard Kenebai, MacDonald Igbadiwei faulted the Nigerian Constitution for placing exploration activities in the exclusive list, stressing that it deprives the state of legislating on issues that affect the people directly.
They noted that occurrences of explosion most times are as a result of equipment failure or negligence on the part of the oil companies but are always explained off as acts of sabotage by host communities.
Hon. Ebiuwou Koku Obiyai, Douglas Sampson-Awudulu, Godbless Oyinke, Salo Adikumoh and Teddy Elemeforo in their contributions called for the sensitization of inhabitants to stay away from impacted areas to avoid health hazards.
