The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, resolved to investigate the state and age of the operational equipment being used by oil exploration companies in the country.
The House took the decision following a motion sponsored by Hon. Goodluck Opiah (Imo/PDP) calling for the investigation of oil pollution in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta local government areas of Imo State. The motion was adopted by the lawmakers.
Opiah, who described the affected areas as operational base of Agip Oil Company, said that the areas suffered oil spillage and fire explosions that were avoidable.
He also pointed out the need to investigate the state of equipment used by Agip Oil Company in its 50 years of operations in the communities.
“The recent one (oil spill) at Ebocha-Egbema led to a stoppage of exploration of crude oil, and consequent loss of over 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day,’’ Opiah said.
The lawmaker also told the House that virtually all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta use substandard and outdated equipment that are unsafe and pollute the environment.
“They (oil companies) have little regard for the safety of lives and property of the host communities,’’ the lawmaker alleged.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Aliyu Magaji (Jigawa/APC) called for regular monitoring of the activities of the oil companies to ensure they complied with the extant laws regulating their operations.
“There is need to find out if these oil companies are actually doing what they are supposed to do. There is also need to ensure their facilities are monitored to guarantee they are up to standard and this is crucial in averting poor maintenance services,’’ Magaji stated.
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