By Emmanuel Abi Couson
Ekid people, through their umbrella Organization, Ekid People’s Union, EPU, has called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Ministry of Environment and all other relevant agencies to speedily and transparently investigate the recent massive oil spill on Ekid coastline, for adequate compensation.
In a Press Statement signed by its national President, Dr Samuel Udonsak and Secretary General, Barrister Bassey Dan Abia, the people said that
,
“The effect of the massive oil spill of last week, in which our Ekid youths protested still remains conspicuous along our coastline, which stretches from about longitude 7 degrees 53 minutes to 8 degrees 19 minutes East. The harmful effects of this oil spill to human life, marine life and our entire ecosystem cannot be overemphasized”.
The statement stated that Ekid people, as law-abiding citizens, are asking for adequate compensation to cushion the effect of the negative impact of the spill.
“Accordingly, we urge the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA}, the Ministry of Environment and all other relevant agencies to speedily and transparently investigate the cause and magnitude of the spill as well as a compulsory fingerprinting of the spilled oil to identify the culprit IOCs”,
Stating further, the Press Statement said that Ekid people, as host communities, have been very understanding and cooperative with the IOCs over the years in their hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities but would not be weak in standing up for their rights.
“Meanwhile, we urge the relevant regulatory agencies to direct immediate cleanup of the environment by those responsible”, it stated.
