Oando Spill: Southern Ijaw community protests exclusion from JIV report
By, Our reporter
Foropa 2 community in Foropa Middleton Kingdom, Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa has decried exclusion from affected areas by the Oct. 4 spill at Tebidaba-Ogboinbiri pipeline operated by Oando.
The community expressed displeasure that in spite of abundant evidence and adverse impact on the predominantly fishing and farming community, they were not part of the Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the spill site.
Chief Joseph Anda, Traditional Ruler (Amananawei of Foropa 2), also known as Apie-Ama, told our Tarakirivoice in Yenagoa on Friday that excluding the community from the JIV reports was unacceptable.
The traditional ruler said that the community is, therefore, drawing the attention of the federal and state governments, as well as Oando oil firm to the development while seeking resolution of the abnormality.
Anda explained that the exclusion was greeted with grievances due to the magnitude of harm caused by the Oct. 4 oil leak to the people and the environment.
He noted that the impact of the oil spill on Foropa 2 community was confirmed by the state government team that visited the area for the assessment.
The traditional ruler insisted that Foropa 2 community must be given equal treatment as other impacted communities.
“Excluding us in the composition of the investigation team is not good enough; that we are not among the affected communities, amounts to double jeopardy.
“We cannot suffer double portions; it will amount to great injustice.
“We urge the oil firm (Oando) and relevant agencies to review the evidences and facts and include Foropa 2 community in the spills remediation and response process,” the traditional ruler said.
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