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CSO To AGIP: Stop The Ongoing Gas Leakage In Odimodi Community Now

Published

2 years ago

July 6, 2023

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has called on Agip Oil Company to immediately stop the ongoing gas leakage from Bemobebe-aka Gas Well located in Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to a release by Elvira Jordan, Communication Officer, ERA/FoEN, a Save Our Souls (SOS) message was received from the community on the 5th of July, 2023, wherein they lamented over the gas leakage from Bemobebe-aka Gas Facility belonging to Agip, which has been nonoperational for some time.

According to the release, the Bemobebe-aka gas well is located at the outskirts of Odimodi community; a route that is usually used by fishermen to carry out their fishing activities, and farmers to access their farm lands.

“The environment around the gas leakage is very toxic and highly polluted.

“The people of Odimodi are currently at risk of facing severe health implications from inhaling the gas that has circulated around the air space of Odimodi, coupled with the dangers of a fire outbreak, as gas is highly flammable,” the statement added.

Lamenting in the release, a fisherman, Brakemi Ndoro, who first spotted and reported the leakage to the leadership of the community said the leakage was discovered about three months ago and suspected to be as a result of a broken valve from the gas plant.

On his part, the Chairman of Odimodi Community, Solomon Gbegha revealed to ERA/FoEN that the leakage was reported to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), followed by a joint inspection of the leakage by the community representatives and NOSDRA on the 26th of June 2023.

According to the chairman, no other efforts have been made to shutdown the leakage after the inspection.

He added that the people of Odimodi are now living in fear, as the people have been instructed to stay clear of the gas leakage area until it has been turned off.

Also lending her voice on the issue, the women leader of Odimodi Community and mother of eight (8), Mrs. Silver Micheal appealed the government, Agip and the appropriate authorities to come to their aid, as the lives of the people of Odimodi are currently at stake.

Reacting, Chima Williams, Executive Director ERA/,FoEN, said: ”The people of Odimodi are currently in distress. After surviving series of spills recorded in 2018 and 2022, they are suffering from yet another damage to their environment, in form of a gas leakage caused by Agip.”

“Despite housing multinational companies, Odimodi has been neglected by these companies, hence the slow response to oil spills and gas leakages. The government needs to implement stringent policies that will regulate and manage the activities of oil multinationals in Odimodi and other host communities.”

Calling on Agip to stop the leakage, he urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct an assessment of the level of air pollution in the area for immediate clean up.

“We also recommend that a medical team be deployed to Odimodi, to examine the health status of the people, after being exposed to such air and environmental pollution.
Furthermore, we call on the (NOSDRA) to rise up to its duties in implementing contingency plans against oil spills and gas leakages in Odimodi and other host communities,” he concluded.

Related Topics:ERA/FoEN Odimodi community

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INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo

Published

6 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has expressed worry over the poor deployment of capturing machines and manpower to Igueben Local Government Area of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The Coordinator, EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre, Leftist Enabulele Larry, and Secretary, Leftist Mark Akande expressed the CSO sentiment when the duo visited the INEC headquarters in Igueben where the CBR in the local government is taking place.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Friday, the leadership of EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre condemned the “use of only two capturing devices in a local government with over 69, 396 in population.”

The duo noted in the statement that their findings at the INEC headquarters revealed two capturing machines were deployed to each local government across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The civil society members said INEC excuse of deploying two capturing machines to each local government was not germane enough because many do not have a computer or android phone to do the online registration INEC gave as an excuse.

“The question here is, what is the percentage of our people mostly the aged individuals, that have access to Android mobile and other internet gadgets in Edo state?

“How many people can afford internet data to enable them have access internet services in Edo state under the current excruciating economic pains by the people?

“How many of the Edo people can even manipulate the Android mobile phone to the extent of navigating the internet hurdles to undertake the job is INEC? If INEC is not ready for the job, they should tell Nigerians.

“If citizens are now advised to individually undertake the statutory job of INEC, of what purpose does the commission serve to the people? etc,” they said.

As at when filing this report, INFO DAILY was yet to get a reply from the message sent to the INEC in Edo for reaction.

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Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

11 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

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Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

22 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.