As part of measures to address the recent incident of oil spillage at Santa Barbara, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the Federal Government has directed the exploration company, AITEO Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited (AEEPCo) to halt operations in the area.
A statement from the Federal Ministry of Environment said the move became imperative to protect the environment until proper investigation is carried out and adequate measures put in place to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.
The statement signed by Saghir el Mohammed the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry of environment, also noted that in order to ensure safety and guaranty future operations in the area by AEEPCo, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) mandated the company to carry out concrete actions to address the situation that include clean-up of impacted areas, remediation of spill site as well as damage assessment and post spill impact assessment.
He also said the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency through the Federal Ministry of Environment will keep the public informed of future developments on the spill incident with an effort to contain further spread and limit the effect on the environment.
The spill occurred on November 5, 2021, within the proximity of Opu Nembe Community at Well 1, Well Head located at the Southern Field of Santa Barbara and efforts has been on to tackle the menace.
“Upon receipt of the report of the incident, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, Community representatives and Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company was set up on November 6, 2021 to immediately address the situation,” the statement said.
