Oil spill: Delta assembly directs immediate cleanup in community

The Delta State House of Assembly has demanded urgent government intervention and cleanup of an oil spill in Uzere Community, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

The assembly also urged relevant agencies to compel the responsible oil companies to assess, contain and clean up areas affected by the spill.

The resolutions followed a motion moved by Ferguson Onwo (Isoko South II) during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Dennis Guwor.

Mr Onwo expressed concern over the hardship caused by the spill and warned that it posed serious threats to the environment, public health and residents’ livelihoods.

He urged the state government to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the incident and provide palliatives and relief materials to affected residents.

The lawmaker also called on relevant authorities to compel the responsible oil companies to assess affected areas, contain the spill and conduct thorough cleanup.

Supporting the motion, lawmakers, including Kenneth Preyor; Charles Emetulu (Ndokwa West), James Augoye (Okpe) and Bridget Anyafulu (Oshimili South) expressed concern over the situation.

They emphasised the need for immediate intervention to prevent further environmental degradation and protect residents from the potentially harmful effects of the spill.

The lawmakers urged oil companies operating in oil-producing communities to demonstrate greater corporate social responsibility by prioritising host communities’ welfare and responding promptly to environmental emergencies.

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They said affected communities should not be left to bear the consequences of oil spills and urged stakeholders to take decisive action to protect residents’ livelihoods.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the motion was unanimously adopted by the assembly when put to a voice vote by the speaker.

Mr Guwor directed the clerk of the house to communicate the resolutions to relevant authorities for necessary action.

He also mandated the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation of the resolutions and ensure the concerns raised received necessary attention.