By Mercy Aikoye
Oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region, including Aieto and Nigerian Agip (now Oando), have pointed fingers at host communities for the persistent crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. They’ve urged the House of Representatives to intervene and address these issues ¹.
During an investigative hearing on oil theft and pipeline vandalism, the companies acknowledged the negative impact of their operations on the environment. Oando’s Team Lead, Philip Akuduro, attributed a significant percentage of oil spillage to host community activities, affecting the environment and local residents.
Aieto’s Chief Operating Officer, Ewarezi Useh, echoed similar concerns, citing clashes of interest as a major reason for the drastic decline in production to 700,000 barrels per day in 2018. This highlights the complexities surrounding oil exploration and production in the region.
The House Committee on Environment, chaired by Julius Pondi, has vowed to uncover the root causes of environmental degradation and pollution caused by oil companies. To achieve this, the committee plans to conduct an oversight visit to Oando’s operations sites in Delta State.
The visit aims to verify Oando’s claims of cleaning up the effects of the recent May 2024 oil spillage in some of their fields. This move demonstrates the committee’s commitment to holding oil companies accountable for their environmental actions.
Environmental degradation and pollution have severe consequences for local communities, including health risks and economic losses. Effective intervention by the House of Representatives is crucial to mitigating these issues.
By addressing oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and environmental degradation, the government can ensure a safer and more sustainable future for Niger Delta communities. The committee’s efforts are a step in the right direction, and their findings will be eagerly awaited.
