The people of Eastern Obolo, a coastal community in Akwa Ibom State have sent a passionate plea to both the state and the federal governments to come to their aid over the recent oil spill caused by a leakage at Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited oil field.
The fishermen told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND yesterday that crude oil deposits was sighted on the waters during fishing expedition on Tuesday night and that the situation could get worse if nothing is done urgently.
“We noticed black puddles of oil on the high sea few days ago during our fishing activity which made us stop fishing to find the source of the pollution.
“The oil was later traced to a leakage from Odudu platform located off the Atlantic coastline. Our people have reported the development to community leaders in the area who will in turn take it up with Total,” one of the fishermen John Udo Eteffia said.
The community therefore called on relevant government agencies to come to their aid before it gets worst.
When contacted, Zonal Director of National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) in Uyo, Irvine Obot, said that the agency was yet to receive any report on the incident from Total.
Obot said that the agency would verify the claims made by the fishermen and would deploy its staff to the site and collect samples for further tests and analysis.
Meanwhile, Manager in Charge of External Communications of Total Nigeria Limited, Charles Ebereonwu, declined to comment on the incident when contacted on phone.
He however promised to respond officially in due course.