In a show of solidarity and concern, Dr. Agiriye Monima Harry, the Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, led a high-powered delegation to Bukuma community to assess the devastating impact of the recent fire outbreak at the OML 8 wellhead, owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The visit, which included representatives from the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), was urgently needed to understand the far-reaching consequences of the disaster on the aquatic life, social fabric, and economic livelihoods of the affected Bukuma residents.
Dr. Harry, who had previously established a committee to investigate the root causes of the inferno, strongly condemned attempts to politicize such a grave tragedy.
Speaking at the palace of HRH Nwamoema of Bukuma, King Stephen Jeremiah Tobins, Akee X, Dr. Harry assured the community of his unwavering commitment to providing relief and support. He pledged to expedite the provision of clean drinking water and other essential amenities to alleviate the suffering of the affected residents.
Mr. Chidi Ogundu, Assistant Director of Disaster Risk Reduction and Assistant Zonal Coordinator of NEMA in South South Nigeria, also addressed the community, assuring them of the agency’s full support and intervention in the aftermath of this environmental disaster.
On his part, the spokesman of the Community, Dr. Pastor Igbarima Alex Fubara, decried the poor state of oil facilities owned by NNPCL.
He observed that the calamity that had befallen the community would have been averted if such facilities were properly maintained.
Gloria Boma Harry
CPS, DELGA
22nd January, 2025
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