Hon Unyime Idem, (in white sutan) chatting with some members of the Gas Pipeline Leak communities at the site.
By Anietie Akpan
The Federal Lawmaker representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Hon Unyime Idem, has lambasted Savannah Energy over gas pipeline leak ín Akwa Ibom state saying there is no surveillance.
Idem showed his resentment at weekend when he visited the site where a gas pipeline owned by Savannah Energy is leaking between Ikot Ukpong and Ikot Inyang Abia Villages in Ukanafun Local Government Area of the state.
Idem, who chairs the House Committee on Public Procurement, said his visit to the scene and interaction with the residents and stakeholders, revealed that there was hitherto no surveillance on the gas facility at all.
Apparently not happy with the situation on ground, he called on Savannah Energy to immediately commence surveillance on their infrastructure.
He said, Savannah Energy should commence surveillance on its facilities, conduct routine checks to forestall any failure of its facility, ensure compliance with environmental safety standards for the protection of the host communities.
He said, “it is therefore necessary for Savannah Energy to assess the environmental impact on the affected villages Andy quickly fix the emission”.
On compensation to the affected communities, Idem said, “the company knows the risk this gas emission poses to residents of these communities, and must now make adequate compensation structure, including proper health plan, for those adversely affected. We are expecting Savannah Energy’s reaction in this regard as soon as possible”.
The Gas Pipeline leak site in Ikot Ukpong.
The federal lawmaker also promised to give the situation the legislative push necessary in order to get adequate benefits for the affected communities.
He also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), “to reach out to the affected communities with relief materials to help ameliorate the effect of the gas emission that my people have suffered for weeks now. The gesture will show the people that government really cares about them.”
Expressing deep concern over the health and environmental hazards posed by the gas emission, Idem appealed to the people to stay off the affected area, given the grave dangers associated with the gas emission.
Idem charged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to step up oversight responsibilities on oil companies operating in Akwa Ibom state and by extension, the Niger Delta region.
By so doing, he said this will keep the oil firms on their toes to ensure surveillance of their facilities across the region.
Responding to a request by the Village Head of one of the affected communities, Ikot Ukpong, Chief Ndianabasi Monday Offong, on some amenities, the Federal Lawmaker assured the monarch that Ikot Ukpong will be captured in the next phase of the community lighting-up project, and that more youths from the village will be accommodated in his empowerment scheme.
The Village Head had used the occasion to appeal to him to extend the solar-powered street light project to Ikot Ukpong, as well as include more youths of the village in his empowerment programme.
He thanked Idem for finding time to visit the scene of the gas emission to see things for himself and expressed hope that succour will come their way soon.
