Opu-Nembe—A foremost indigenous environmental company, Lyniton Nigeria Limited is set to commence the Post Impact Assessment (PIA) and Environmental Remediation Report (ERR) at the impacted sites of the spill at OML 29, well 1 along Santa Barbara river in Opu-Nembe, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
Recall that in early November 2021, a non-producing oil well along the Santa Barbara river in Opu-Nembe began spilling hydrocarbon under high pressure into the environment.
But after several efforts, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited, operator of the facility, was able to stop the spill on the 8th of December 2021.
In a chat with Mangrovepen.ng, team lead of the committee tasked to undertake the assessment and baseline studies from the indigenous firm, Prof. Precious Ede, disclosed that work is scheduled to commence on Saturday, 11th December 2021.
“We are a team of informed, knowledge-driven and resilient environmental managers that gives nothing but the best. Most of our consultant personnel are registered with more than one national and international professional body.
“Let me assure you that, going by our exposure and experiences, we will comfortably undertake the PIA and ERR we have been contracted to carry out.
“And by the grace of God, we will do our job in line with global best practices and integrity to the admiration of our client, the impacted communities and relevant stakeholders.”
Prof. Ede revealed that his team has already met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), representatives of Nembe Local Government Council and Opu-Nembe Kingdom Oil and Gas Committee as well as Opu Nembe Youth Federation.
Meanwhile, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited has said the November 5 leak was stopped by collaboration driven by Nigerian experts.
This was contained in a statement by Mr Victor Okoronkwo, Aiteo’s Group Managing Director.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Okoronkwo as saying that, “indigenous participation in the upstream space is nascent.
“The efforts evident in the management of this incident, especially the remarkable Aiteo E&P Health Safety and Environment Policy, which mitigated adverse impact, was patriotic.
“It foretells the progress that has been made in the building, growing, and elevating both expertise and technical capabilities by indigenous oil companies such as ours.
“The professionalism with which the technical and support personnel execute this significant operation cannot be overemphasized, especially, considering the challenging operating terrain.
“The clean-up efforts that were concurrently executed throughout this period to limit the spread of hydrocarbon will now be comprehensively escalated.’’
He added that concerted efforts would be channelled toward increasing remediation measures.
