Abuja—The National Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution condemning the oil spill at the Santa Barbara River well 1, OML 29, operated by Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited in Opu Nembe, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The resolution was passed made after a motion under matters of urgent public importance was raised by the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.
The Senate urged the company to seek and deploy highest expertise and technology to contain, stop and prevent the spill from further damaging the environment.
Relevant agencies of government were also charged to undertake environmental impact assessment to ascertain the level of pollution with a view to commence remediation and reparation according to international standard.
The Senate also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently provide relief materials to people of the impacted communities as way of cushioning the negative toll the spill has had on their wellbeing and health.
However, Senator Degi-Eremienyo during the presentation of his motion stated that divestment by IOCs is good as it creates opportunities for indigenous oil firms to thrive, but warned that licenses to operate should be only given to indigenous companies that have the requisite technical and financial competence to operate.
