A renowned Environmentalist Rev Nnimmo Bassey has urged
governments and oil industry regulators to investigate the cause of dead fishes
littering the Atlantic coastline in Delta and Bayelsa.
Bassey who made the call in a reaction to reports of massive
death of fish by coastline residents noted that the development portends danger
capable of wiping off fish species and depletion the biodiversity of thee Niger
Delta.
Bassey
who holds a National Honours Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for
Environmental Activism spoke in Yenagoa on Saturday.
He observed that the littering of the coastline for more than
three weeks may be an indication of increased toxicity of the coastline adding
that consuming the dead fishes may pose a public health danger.
“We have been
listening to hear exactly what triggered the death of so much fish that washed
onshore.
“By this time NOSDRA
should have made a definitive statement especially since there are oil platforms
not too far off that coast.
“ While we wait to
hear from those who should know, this is a serious health issue.
“Ministries of health and
Environment at state and national level should be concerned about the health
impact on the communities and the wider region of people, who consume the
obviously poisoned fish.
“Some stories we hear
is that some toxic wastes may have been dumped into the sea by oil company
operators.
“If that is found to
be true, such a company should be held responsible for endangering the health
of the people and for ecological damage and destruction of the people’s
livelihood.
“This matter should
not be swept under the carpet or locked away because we are focusing attention
on the coronavirus pandemic.
“The dead fish
are smoking guns of a serious crime,” Bassey said..
Residents along Foropa, Sangana axis of the Atlantic coastline
in Bayelsa had reported sighting dead fishes littering the shoreline, since the
middle of March.
Some
of the residents said the occurrence was noticed since March 15 and had yet to
abate fueling fears of pollution of the country’s territorial waters by toxic
substances.
A forum of
Community Development Committees (CDC), hosts to Chevron oilfields in Bayelsa had appealed to the federal and state government
to check the impact of suspected a toxic pollution across the Atlantic
coastline.
They said that the pollution was a threat to the predominantly
fishing settlement and caused hardship to the host communities.
The forum led by it's
Chairman Chief Captain Patrick Ekubo and Secretary Mr. Biraladei Brisibe Wuka,
said the call became imperative as the oil firms operating in the area had
shown no concern.
.
Wuka, said the strange
increased toxicity of the Atlantic ocean is causing concerns for their health.
They urged the oil
industry regulators to trace the source of the pollution, while calling on
NOSDRA to immediately constitute a Joint Investigation Team to ascertain the
cause of the toxic pollution that has endanger their lives.
The communities,
Koluama, Ekeni, Ezetu, Foropa Fishtown and Sangana in Brass and Southern Ijaw
LGAs of Bayelsa urged NOSDRA to wrap up the probe within 21 day or risk a total
shutdown of oil facilities in the area.
However, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) which operates oilfield
near the communities in a response to requests for reaction said that there
were no leaks from its facilities in the area.
Mr Esimaje
Brikinn, General Manager – Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron
Nigeria Limited denied any links with the alleged pollution with the operations
of it oil firm.
“CNL
and Star Deep confirm that there
has not been any chemical release from any of our facilities.” Chevron stated.
Mr Idris Musa,
Director-General, National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA)
said the spill agency will commence an investigation as soon as the lockdown
for the COVID-19 is lifted.
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