Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) has intensified the clean up of the Atlantic shoreline in Akwa Ibom contaminated by the Nov.?9, oil spill emanating from its operations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that additional 100 oil spill personnel have been added while the mop-up exercise has been extended for additional 10 days for the third time.
Mr Irvin Obot, Zonal Director at the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), said the agency was still assessing the impact of the spill along the Atlantic Coastline in Akwa Ibom from Ikot Abasi to Mbo local government areas.
A statement signed by General Manager in charge of Public and Government Affairs in Mobil, Mr Paul Arinze,?said that some 500 youths from its host community were engaged in?the clean up of the shoreline.
Sources at Mobil’s Qua Iboe terminal told NAN on Friday that another team of 100 oil spill response team was mobilised to trap the residual oil on the ocean surface in addition to the coastline clean up team.
The four labour contractors handling the coastline operations?were allocated 140 workers each to fast track the clean up process on the 30 kilometre stretch of Ibeno coastline.
Chief Okon Akpanowong, a community leader in Ibeno, said that the last extension lapsed on Dec.?2, while the 10-day extension runs from Dec.?3, to Dec. 13.
MPN, operator of the Qua Iboe oil field, said the spill incident discharged an estimated volume of 200 barrels of crude into the Atlantic, a development that compelled it to declare a ‘Force Majeure’ on the Qua Iboe crude streams effective Nov.?21.
Force Majeure is a legal notice that frees oil firms from liabilities for not meeting supply obligations due to circumstances? beyond their control. (NAN)