NNPC Eighteen To Appear Before Reps Over Oil Spill, Pollution Allegations

The House of Representatives Committee on Environment has invited NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd to appear before it on March 4, following the company’s failure to honor an earlier invitation on February 18.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Julius Pondi, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, stating that the summons was in response to a petition from stakeholders regarding environmental degradation and pollution caused by oil drilling activities in Buguma and Degema areas of Rivers State.

The committee had earlier received a formal complaint against NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd over a fire and oil spill incident in Buguma, Degema Local Government Area.

In addition, the lawmakers invited relevant stakeholders and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to deliberate on grievances raised by the Bukuma community in Rivers.

The community has accused NNPC of failing to implement a 2021 court judgment mandating the grouping of oil-producing communities into clusters for development purposes.

The Committee is expected to hear from all parties involved and take necessary steps to address the environmental concerns and alleged neglect of affected communities.