Residents of Rumuodunwere Community in Elelewo Clan, Oropotoma kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have called out for help following an oil spill that has rendered them homeless.
It is the second time that an oil spill is occurring in the community since 1974, which destroyed farm lands and buildings. The latest spill occurred on Wednesday, 21st August.
Speaking to National Point, on Tuesday, 27th August 2024, in his Palace, the Paramount ruler, Rumuodunwere Community, HRH Eze Ken Nnanta Otto, said the spill has destroyed their habitations and farmlands.
He called on Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the Federal, State, Ministry of Petroleum and Environment to come to their aid.
“This is not the first time we are witnessing this type of thing”, he recalled, adding that the first incidence happened in about 1974. I have invited Shell, but they have not come,” he noted.
Eze Otto disclosed that the oil spillage was caused by equipment failure, as a result of Shell’s in ability to maintain them.
He said however that he was yet to report the development to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (MOSDRA) and other relevant agencies.
He appealed to the government at all levels, NOSDRA, and other relevant agencies to come and see things for themselves as to know what to do, pointing out the they are predominantly farmers, and that is their only means of livelihood.
He stressed that his community had no pipe-borne water and their only source of getting drinking water is bore holes.
“You have to dig and dig deeper before you can get water to drink”, he said, insisting that the activities of Shell and others are not helping matters in the community.
A young man in Rumuodunwere Community, who identified himself as Comrade Emeka Nyeche told National Point that the spill was sad and unfortunate.
According to Nyeche who said he’s speaking on behalf of the Community Development Chairman (CDC), said, “The spill destroyed our farms, buildings and other properties.”
“We have already informed Shell, and I’m believing God that something good will come out of our effort”.
Meanwhile, soldiers have cordoned off everywhere in the spilled areas.
