Diri, NOSDRA Disagree On Nembe Oil Spill Probe

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has expressed dissatisfaction about the comments credited to the Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Mr. Idris Musa, on the legality of the state’s technical committee on the recent oil spill in Nembe Local Government.

The NOSDRA boss was reportedly quoted to have said that the committee was illegal and also prevented the media from being part of the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to the spillage site.

Diri spoke yesterday during a visit of the Minister of State for Environment, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, to the Government House in Yenagoa.

The minister was in the state for an on-the-spot assessment of the blowout that occurred at OML 29 Wellhead platform operated by Aiteo Exploration and Production Company Ltd in Nembe.

The leak lasted for about 38 days before it was eventually stopped on December 8.

Testing every victim affected by the spill and would leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice and full compensation for the people.

While calling on the JIV team set up by NOSDRA to be transparent and free from any form of compromise, the governor said it was unethical for Aiteo to provide logistics for the JIV.

He said: “Honourable Minister, I was not happy with the report I got from my team, particularly the comments allegedly made by the DG of NOSDRA. I’m an elected governor of Bayelsa State and the number one thing about me is the well-being of the people, the environment and property of my state.

“I was told that the DG allegedly made comments that the committee I set up and inaugurated was an illegal committee. Also, he reportedly said that the media cannot be part of the JIV.

“Those were the reports I received from my team. I’m happy that you have cleared the issues about the media and they will be part of it.

“As I said earlier, states and the federal government are supposed to work hand in gloves. I have the powers vested by the Nigerian Constitution and the laws of Bayelsa State to set up the committee within the confines of Bayelsa State and on anything that is injurious to the people of the state.

“With the way it is going, I’m not happy with the report I’m getting from my committee. Aiteo could not have been the one to provide the logistics for the JIV. The DG of NOSDRA should be the number one person to protect the state, its team and the environment.”

The governor, however, thanked the minister for coming to have a first-hand knowledge of the plight of the Nembe people and Bayelsa State in general.

Ikeazor said her visit was to assess the damage caused by the spill and to ensure speedy remediation.

The minister, who was accompanied by the NOSDRA DG, however, said it was proper for the media to be part of the JIV and that reporters would not be prevented from visiting the site.

The minister further stated that from reports made available to her, 16,800 barrels of oil had been recovered from the polluted water.

She thanked the people of Nembe Local Government for their peaceful disposition during and after the spill.

Ikeazor hailed the state government for the exemplary leadership demonstrated to manage the situation.