Some residents who spoke on the development, frowned at indiscriminate
seismic activities by oil firms in residential area in Yenagoa and the adverse
impact of materials used in the exercise..
The seismic activities involved the use of explosives detonated at
remote sites to cause vibration in the earth’s crust to explore oil and gas
reserves.
This has been ongoing in various parts of Yenagoa including Tombia,
Edepie, Opolo amongst others since February 2018.
Ebike Joseph who resides at OMPADEC area of Amaarata said that the
people were worried about the haphazard way the cables were being laid and
expressed fears that children may tamper with the cables and get injured.
“The activities of these seismic crews has become a matter of concern to
us, the communities woke up and started seeing strange people running cables
around the whole place.
“This is the long vacation and you have large numbers of idle children
all over the place.
“It is indeed a cause for worry and when we tried to find out what was
going on from the crew, they told us that they were searching for oil and that
they were working for shell.
“We are wondering why there was no form of public information on the
exercise to inform the people,” Joseph said.
Another resident, Michael Abide said that he initially thought that the
cables which crisscrossed the roads were power cables.
“I thought the cables were for neighbours who were using industrial generators who supplied power
to small businesses until someone told me that the cables were related to the
search for oil.
“Why can’t they concentrate on other areas and allow us be in this
residential areas ?,” Abide asked.
Also an environmental advocacy group Environmental Rights Action/Friends
of the earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) called for restraint in the search for fossil
fuels.
ERA/FoEN in a reaction to the development in a report made available in
Yenagoa, it noted that the aggressive search for oil in residential areas was
ill advised.
According to the group, the convention presently is to develop
alternative energy sources that are environmentally friendly.
ERA/FoEN’s field report was signed by Mr Alagoa Morris, Head of Field
Operations in the Non-Governmental Organisation.
The group said the sound of explosives sends shock waves down the spine
of residents and wondered why there was no sensitisation to enlighten residents
and assure them of safety.
The report also quoted some residents as saying that the seismic cables
traversed their houses and often disrupted their social and economic
activities.
Accordingly, the report quoted them as expressing fears that if oil was
struck, they may be compelled to relocate.
According to the field report, some residents feel that they are silent
because they think those engaging in the seismic operation within their
environment are doing so because the Land Use Decree gave them such powers.
“Incidentally too, some express optimism that once crude oil/gas is
found on their land, it would bring to them unimaginable fortune,” the report
said..
ERA/ FoEN observed that the seismic cables were laid at the doorsteps of
residents, around and entrances to homes, shops/business environment, road
sides and even in the middle of the roads/streets in Yenagoa.
“It is unimaginable that while the world is progressively shifting away
from fossil energy, embracing and developing renewable energy; the Federal
Government and Shell are still going about crude oil/gas exploration.
“The explosives detonated during the search for oil was responsible for
the reported earth tremor incidents reported by ERA over a year ago.’’ The
report read in part.
ERA/FoEN urged the Federal Government to leave the oil/gas in the soil
and go for renewable source of energy; considering the social and environment
conflicts and injustices associated with fossil energy.
“Government should protect the rights of Nigerians to live and go about their businesses in environment conducive for their development and wellbeing in line with Article 24 of African Charter on Human and People’s Right.
“The environment needs protection and defence from government. Residents
shouldn’t just remain silent; they should express themselves freely; because
the Environment is Our Life.
“Experience has shown that environment damaged by crude oil induced
pollution has never been properly attended to by our government and the oil
companies.
“The Federal and State governments should ensure that regulations
regarding Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) precedes any such exercise;
including Social Impact Assessment,” ERA/FoEN said.
However, Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, Media Relations Manager, Shell Petroleum
Development Company confirmed that the oil firm was conducting seismic
activities.
“We won’t feign ignorance of the development, we will respond as soon as
we update our statement due to new developments,” Odugbesan had said on Friday
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