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By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
Some oil rich communities in Bayaelsa have applauded the state government for setting up a commission of inquiry on environmental degradation to investigate the years of negative impact of oil exploration.
Governor Seriake Dickson had recently inaugurated the commission to find evidence of oil spills and damage to the environment of Baylesa and Niger Delta region.
Some residents, who spoke with journalists during the tour in Azuzuama, said the setting up of the commission was good and decried the harmful effects of oil spills on their land.
Chief Otubo Jonathan-kpeli, traditional ruler in Azuzuama Community, Southern Ijaw Local government area, said the spills have caused colossal damage to their livelihood and environment.
According to him, “oil exploitation in my community, Azuzuama is no longer a blessing to our people. As I am speaking, there are no farm lands for us to cultivate. The source of water, which is the river, has been polluted, no portable water to drink except only when we buy water from the city.
“This is suffering and smiling. The common aliment here is cancer and kidney disease,” the chief stated.
In Ikarama Community, youth president, Mr Benjamin Walter, described the spills occasioned by oil exploitation as worrisome to the people.
Walter said the move by Bayelsa Government to investigate the harmful impact of environmental degradation would go a long way to checkmate every wrong of the multinational oil firms in their host communities.
Mr Bob Keniyinboh, scientific officer, Bayelsa Ministry of Environment said that the cause of spillage was mainly equipment failure on the part of oil companies and commended the setting up of commission of inquiry on the state.
Our correspondent said the commission of Inquiry is made up of foreign experts, diplomats and forensic experts including the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu as chairman, former President of Ghana, John Kuffour, a former member of the British Cabinet, Baroness Valerie Amos Brondesbury and a principal at the Fydow Forensics, Daniel Onifade among others.
