Ondo communities seek compensation over oil spill

Agency lists dangers of e-waste

ABOUT 17 communities in Ilaje Council of Ondo State have appealed to concerned authorities for compensation and clean-up of their environment in the aftermath of an oil spill, which they alleged, was caused by the operations of a multinational oil company in the area.

The development came on the heels of the condemnation of importation of old electrical and mechanical appliances and used computer gadgets into Nigeria by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), which called for the observation of its gazetted regulations to curb the menace.

In their appeal to the authorities at the weekend, traditional leaders of two of the affected communities, the Alagho of Odonla, Oba Elias Ikuomola and the head of Ikorigho community, Erejuwa Omadele, said the spill had destroyed fishing activity, which is the mainstay of their economy and contaminated their sources of fresh water.

The Odonla monarch, who disclosed that the identity of the company responsible for the spill was known to the communities, said: “Our youths are angry. The elders are sad. The fishermen are crying because of this spillage caused by the activities of this company in our waters. We are human beings and not animals. The company has paralysed our economic activities and brought untold hardship on our people”.

NESREA’s Director General, Dr. Ngeri Benebo, who described the used items such as near-end-of-life and end-of-life electrical and electronic products as “e-wastes”, said their unbridled importations constitute “a growing problem” to the already challenging task of environmental protection in the country.

The NESREA boss, who spoke at a one-day sensitiation workshop organised by the agency in Akure, Ondo State capital, to enlighten stakeholders on the implementations of the National Environmental Regulations, said the protection of the environment should be seen by all as a task that must be accomplished.

Represented at the workshop by Ezinwa Ezeka, a deputy director in the agency, the director general painted a pathetic picture of the country’s environment and called for increased attention, particularly to the regulations instituted by NESREA.

According to her: “Our environment is under increased threat as a result of the uncontrolled exploration and exploitation of our natural resources and other unsustainable activities that pollute our air, water and soil.

“The key environmental issues of great concern to the government include water pollution, in-door and out-door air pollution, industrial pollution, biodiversity loss, erosion, flooding, land degradation, desertification, poor urban solid waste management, indiscriminate burning, noise pollution, wildlife crimes, among others”.