Rep. blames NUPRC, NOSDRA over missing reports on Rivers, Delta oil spills

By Onu Okorie

The House of Representatives Committee on the South South Development Commission (SSDC) has ordered the Nigeria Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to submit fortnightly reports on efforts to contain gas seepage in Bille Community, Rivers State, and remediate oil spills in several communities in Delta State.
The directive followed lawmakers’ expression of disappointment over the failure of most agencies invited to an investigative hearing in Abuja on Thursday to present environmental impact assessment reports and other critical documents on the incidents.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Julius Pondi, issued the directive at the resumed hearing, which examined the environmental disasters affecting Bille in Rivers State and Odidi, Ogulagha, Odimodi and other communities in Delta State.
The committee had previously directed relevant agencies to appear before it with documents detailing their remediation activities and other measures taken to address the environmental damage. However, lawmakers faulted the agencies for failing to provide the requested reports, raising concerns about the progress of the response efforts.
Opening the hearing, Pondi said the investigation was part of the committee’s oversight responsibility to protect the environment, livelihoods and welfare of residents across the South South region.
He said the exercise was designed to establish the facts surrounding the incidents, assess the responses of regulatory agencies and determine the extent to which resolutions reached during previous engagements had been implemented.
Pondi stressed that the operating company and relevant regulators must account for the circumstances surrounding the spills, identify affected communities and present findings from environmental assessments.
He added that the committee expected detailed updates on containment measures, clean-up operations, remediation efforts and compliance with existing environmental regulations.
The chairman said the agencies would be required to provide regular updates to enable the lawmakers to monitor progress and hold the relevant parties accountable for their responsibilities.
Meanwhile, a representative of Odidi Community and senior lawyer, Mr. Odokomaiye, told the committee that the oil spill remained active and had yet to be brought under control.
He alleged that all 14 communities within the affected area had suffered the consequences of the spill, raising concerns about the extent of the environmental damage and its impact on residents.
The community representative called on the committee to order the shutdown of Heritage, the oil company operating in the area, alleging that the firm lacked the technical expertise and managerial capacity required to conduct exploration activities safely.
The community also accused the company of failing to undertake a proper environmental impact assessment before commencing operations and urged the lawmakers to suspend its activities.
In addition, residents accused the company of neglecting people affected by the spill, alleging that it had failed to provide relief materials to victims across the affected communities.
The committee’s directive is expected to strengthen legislative monitoring of the response to the environmental incidents, particularly amid concerns over the continued impact on affected communities and the availability of critical assessment reports.
The panel is seeking to establish the extent of the damage, determine whether the relevant agencies and operating company have fulfilled their obligations, and ensure that containment and remediation efforts are properly documented. The fortnightly reporting requirement will provide the committee with a regular account of the measures being taken to address the gas seepage and oil spills as its investigation continues.