IN order to ascertain the level of damage, the House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution mandating its Committee on Environment, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Ministry of Niger Delta to inspect and evaluate the Bonga oil leak at Bonga Oil Platform which led to the shutdown of the field.
Specifically, the joint committee is to inspect the oil leak which occurred on December 20, 2011 and estimated at about 40,000 barrels as well as the effect of the spill on the ecosystem of the communities and the extent of clean-up.
The House's decision followed a motion brought by Micah Umoh representing Ikotoabasi/Opobo Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom who expressed concern that on January 1, 2012 the said Bonga field which sustained the largest spill to be witnessed in a decade within the Niger Delta coastline went back into production amidst controversy of the level of clean-up of the spill effects on the communities.
It, therefore, urged Shell Oil Company and her Joint Venture Partners to take their full social responsibilities for the Bonga Oil spill in all ramifications.
In his submission, Umoh raised the alarm that the Shell Oil Company, the major operator of the field was refusing to take full responsibility for the impact of the oil spill "and pointing fingers at other sources for oil ravaging communities in the region."
He explained that the communities along the coastline of Niger Delta had at a point during the spill been told to stay away from fishing because of the spill which has covered approximately 923 kilometres of the region.
When the Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who presided over the session put the question, all the prayers in the motion were adopted in a voice vote by the members.
Consequently, the motion was referred to the committees for further legislative duties.
Similarly, the House urged the Federal Government to ensure the take-off of the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Research Institute in the 2012. This was sequel to the adoption of a motion titled "Abandonment of Oloibiri Oil Gas and Research Institute" brought by Andrew Uchendu.
Also yesterday, the House urged the Federal Government and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to take proactive measures to repair and rehabilitate the Lokoja/ Kabba/ Isanlu/ Egbe/ Omu Aran / Ilorin road for easy passage pending the permanent rehabilitation of the said road.
The Chamber which adopted the motion brought by Ndudi Elumelu consequently mandated its committees on Appropriation and Works to ensure that the fund needed for the repair and rehabilitation of the said road is included in the year 2012 budget.
The Guardian