••• LAWYER ACCUSES OIL OF ABANDONING HOST COMMUNITIES
A heavy gas explosion has rocked the CONOIL ADRIATIC 1 offshore platform at the Headquarters of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Barr. Philemon Kelly Dickson
(Associate Attorney of Serenity Legal Union & Partners) described the effect of the current gas explosion and the non-challant attitude of the oil firms as ‘excruciating & devastating’ in a letter to the Nembe Council of Chiefs, leaders elders and others on Thursday.
The lawyer said that the huge explosion which occurred on June 29, 2022 has continued with massive spew of hydrocarbon substances into the endangered environment.
He noted that while workers have been evacuated from the facility, the indigenes and inhabitants communities around platform such as Sangana, Oghinibiri, Okumbiri-Beleu, Opu-Okumbiri, Fishtown communities have again been abandoned to their fate.
He called the attention of the leaders and elders of the affected communities to a similar gas leak which occurred at “the same Adriatic One Offshore Oil Rig, in Otuo Field – OML 59 in Brass Local Govt. Area of Bayelsa State, on or about 31st of October, 2021.”
He expressed deep concern that the management of Con Oil did nothing about the devastating pollution and the resultant health hazards caused by the blow outs in the area.
“The spewing of noxious gas and other hydrocarbon substances continued unchecked and unabated for months, resulting in severe Environmental and Economic Devastation to several impacted communities on the coastline; including damage to quality of life of our people, their culture, economic livelihood as fishermen, poor air quality, health & environmental despoliation.
“Till date, there has been no effort to take reasonable steps to assess or mitigate the damage on our people.
“It is unfortunate, that Mike Adenuga’s Conoil Producing Nigeria Limited – Owner & Operator of the Otuo Oil Field, OML 59 JV did next to nothing to assuage the plight of the affected host communities but quick to resume operations without regard to the suffering of the generality of the people.
“This is so excruciating & devastating to say the least. “ he said
