Title: The Dangers of Abandoned Oil Facilities in Niger Delta Communities
The Niger Delta region is currently grappling with a mounting issue of abandoned oil wells and dilapidated infrastructure left behind by multinational oil companies, resulting in serious health and environmental hazards for the affected communities.
In Akwa Ibom State, there are over 32 abandoned oil wells situated in Oko, Okoroette, and Utapete communities. Similarly, the onshore oilfield in Oloibiri, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been deserted with approximately 21.26 million barrels of hydrocarbons.
Dr Nninmo Bassey, an esteemed environmental expert, has underscored the urgent necessity for the decommissioning of these unused well-heads, manifolds, flow stations, and pipelines, as they have been left unattended for decades. He has expressed grave concerns about the impact of these abandoned oil facilities on the ecosystem, groundwater contamination, and the health of the local population.
Bassey has also drawn attention to the catastrophic blowouts that have occurred in recent years, such as the Aiteo’s Nembe/Santa Barbara Well-1 and the Trinity Spirit FSPO explosion. He has specifically highlighted the Ororo-1 well fire in Ondo state and has called for its immediate extinguishment.
The expert has emphasized that the issue of abandonment is not confined solely to the oil and gas sector, but also permeates into the solid minerals sector, as evidenced by the abandoned Tin mines of Jos and the Coal Mines of Enugu. He has urged the federal government to address this alarming trend.
Furthermore, Bassey has criticized the over-reliance of the Federal Government on international oil companies, which has resulted in a dysfunctional petroleum sector and has enabled reckless corporate behavior. He has stressed that this dependence has rendered regulatory agencies ineffective in addressing the malaise.
It is evident that the presence of abandoned oil facilities in the Niger Delta region poses a significant risk to the environment and the well-being of local communities. Immediate action is imperative to decommission these facilities and prevent further environmental and health hazards. The government must take responsibility and hold multinational oil companies accountable for their negligence in addressing these critical issues.
