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Reps Probe Oil Spills At Three OMLs, Abandoned Oil Wells

Published

4 years ago

June 29, 2022

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate abandoned oil wells and spills from at least three Oil Mining Leases.

The House mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Environment to “investigate the actual cause of the oil leaks at OML 18, OML 29 and OML 63, with a mandate to utilise experienced professionals to provide required insight, support and results.”

The committee is also to “determine the magnitude, scope, and effect of the leaks on affected hast communities; examine the scope and liability for required relief and compensation, including the status of provision of same; inquire the nature and details of the JV agreement between Aiteo and NNPC to determine veracity of ownership of percentage stake and financial obligations.

“Confirm the claim by Aiteo of engagement of a foreign company to stop the leak, the cost of doing so and the financial claim made by Aiteo to NAPIMS in this regard; and examine the nature and details of the JV agreement between Eroton and NNPC to determine completion of financial and other obligations for ownership.”

Furthermore, the panel will “verify the numbers of idle and isolated wells currently existing on Aiteo, Eroton and other indigenous and international oil companies’ oil fields across Nigeria, the condition of these wells and the status of their management and abandonment in compliance with statutory provisions and international best practice.”

In addition, it will “explain the potential for significant residual deposits from identified idle and isolated wells across the country, the best methodology and strategy to achieve this additional revenue stream and the best international best practices being employed by other oil producing countries to achieve this.”

The committee is to report back to the House within two weeks for further legislative action.

These resolutions were sequel to the unanimous adoption of the motion moved by a member, Ibrahim Isiaka, titled ‘Urgent Need to Investigate Oil Spills at OML 18, OML 29, OML 63 and the Status of All Idle, Isolated and Abandoned Wells on Order to Avert Renewed Hostilities in the Niger Delta Region of the Country.’

Isiaka said he was raising the alarm over the confirmation by the National Oil Spill Detection Agency on June 25, 2022, of an ongoing oil leak for one week, from Cawthorne Channel Well 15, an idle and isolated well on Oil Mining Lease 18.

He noted that it is a large oil bloc located towards the south of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, operated by Eroton Exploration and Production Limited, which has 45 per cent stake in a Joint Venture Agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (now Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited) after Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited divested her interest in the bloc, in 2015.

The lawmaker added that the Corporate Communications Lead of Eroton reported an oil leak, which eventually resulted in a blowout of crude oil and gas into the environment on June 15, 2022, “whereas NOSDRA only reported the incident on June 25, 2022 – 10 days thereafter.

He stressed that the expected required Joint Investigation Visit by the relevant stakeholders – Eroton, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NRC), NNPC and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment – “has still not been conducted almost two weeks after the occurrence.”

Isiaka added, “No effort has been made to either stop or control the oil leak and this portends grave consequences to the ecosystem and the affected host communities.”

The lawmaker also noted that Aiteo Group, operator of another JV with NNPC, also reported an oil leak from its “idle and isolated” Santa Barbara oil well Head 1 on OML 29 in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on November 5, 2021.

“The leak, which persisted for 32 days, was alleged to have spilled hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude into the Santa Barbara River and its tributaries, which traverse three kingdoms in Bayelsa State destroying sources of drinking water, fishing and farming ecosystem. Over six months later, the cause of the oil leak on OML 29 is still unknown,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, like OML 29, the unending phenomenon surrounding the current spill on OML 18 has not been conducted about two weeks after the occurrence. He added that the NAOC oil spill at OML 63 in Lasukugbena, Bayelsa State, lasted over one month, yet the root cause analysis has not been officially determined till date.

Isiaka said, “The House is also disturbed about recent statistics that show Nigeria has probably the worst oil spill record in the word with over 4,919 oil spills between 2015 and 2021, releasing over 400,000 barrels into the environment and ecosystem of affected communities.”

The lawmaker noted that there were allegations that “Aiteo, Eroton, and almost all indigenous and international oil companies operating in Nigeria have idle wells on most of their fields, which are not properly managed or abandoned and are likely to experience a blowout at any time, with potentially very grave consequences to the environment, health, safety, and socio-economic well being of millions of innocent Nigerian Citizens who inhabit the affected host communities.”

He said, “The House is curious about the postulation by industry professionals that in the light of current dwindling crude oil production output in Nigeria, up to 800,000 barrels of residual crude oil deposits can be obtained from idle and isolated wells across different oil fields in the country, with huge economic benefit to the country, similar to several oil-producing countries around the world who have consciously developed a strategy in this regard.”

News

NiMet Warns Of Flash Flooding In 19 States

Published

11 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that 19 states across the country may experience flash flooding.

In an advisory issued yesterday, NiMet said increased surface runoff and flash flooding could occur during heavy early rains due to dry and hardened soils that prevent water from properly soaking into the ground.

The agency listed the states likely to be affected as Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and Bayelsa.

NiMet said the possible impacts include flooded roads, traffic disruption, damage to homes, farmlands, and infrastructure, blocked drainage systems, power outages, telecommunication disruptions, and increased risks of injuries and water-borne diseases.

The agency advised residents to clear blocked drainage and stay updated with weather and flood alerts.

NiMet also cautioned motorists and pedestrians against driving or walking through flooded areas.

The agency asked relevant authorities and stakeholders to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and emergency response measures to reduce flood-related risks.

“An informed community is a prepared community. Know the risks and act early,” the advisory read.

The Federal Government had warned that 14,118 communities in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at risk of severe flooding in 2026.

The states include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Kano.

Others are Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara, and the FCT.

Meanwhile, Nimet and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have intensified efforts to improve disaster management in the country with plans to develop a national early warning system roadmap.

The move was announced yesterday during a courtesy visit by the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, to the Director General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, at the NiMet headquarters in Abuja.

Mrs Umar applauded NiMet for the timely release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and its consistent weather forecasts, noting that the agency had recorded significant improvements under Prof. Anosike’s leadership.

News

‘Nothing New’ – Wike Defends Houses For Judges, Dismisses NBA Criticism

Published

11 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Friday defended the construction of houses for judges and justices in Abuja, dismissing concerns that the projects could compromise the independence of the judiciary.

Wike spoke after inspecting ongoing judicial infrastructure projects, including judges’ residences, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division and proposed residential projects for judges of the Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The minister’s remarks followed criticisms reportedly raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over executive involvement in the provision of infrastructure for the judiciary.

Rejecting the concerns, Wike argued that government provision of facilities for judicial officers was neither new nor a threat to judicial autonomy.

He said: “The mere fact that the executive constructs buildings does not mean it will interfere with the judiciary.

“We have built public houses for the National Assembly and for the judiciary before. The Supreme Court was built by government. So there is nothing new in this.”

Wike accused the NBA leadership of inconsistency, alleging that the association frequently sought financial support from state governments for its conferences and activities while criticising government interventions in the judiciary.

“All they are interested in is when state governments will sponsor NBA activities. If governments fund their conferences, does that mean they are no longer independent?” he queried.

He maintained that the FCT Administration would not be distracted from implementing projects designed to improve the welfare and working conditions of judges and justices.

“This is a voluntary act by government to make judicial officers comfortable and focused on their work. It is not done to erode judicial independence,” the minister added.

Wike said the projects formed part of activities lined up to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

He expressed satisfaction with the completion level of the judges’ quarters, describing the project as well executed and nearly ready for inauguration.

“We’ve seen the judges’ quarters beautiful. I’m very elated that the job was done well. The houses are well furnished and almost 99 per cent ready,” he stated.

The minister also disclosed that preparations had begun for the groundbreaking ceremony of residences for judges of the Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

However, he expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the finishing at the Court of Appeal Abuja Division project, despite its advanced stage of completion.

“Almost 90 per cent complete, but I must say it’s not the quality I expected. I have told the contractor that several errors must be corrected before inauguration,” he said.

Wike assured that the administration would continue monitoring contractors to ensure all projects are delivered according to specification and within schedule.

“All the promises that have been made, we are going to fulfil them. That is why we are going around to inspect and ensure contractors are ready,” he added.

News

LASG Fixes Dates For Public Service Exams, Releases CBT Guidelines

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Lagos State Examinations Board, has released the timetable and guidelines for the 2026 Public Service Examinations.

In a statement by the Lagos State Government, the announcement, which aligns with a prior circular from the Head of Service with Ref No: CIR/HOS/’26/005 dated January 21, 2026, sets out key instructions for candidates preparing for the exercise.

The examinations will hold between Tuesday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, Lagos.

They include the Compulsory Examination for all cadres in the State Public Service, the Combined Confirmation/Promotion Examination for Clerical Officers II (CO II) and Clerical Assistants (CA), as well as the External Secretarial Examination.

According to the board, candidates are expected to begin printing their examination slips from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, through the official portal using their registration login details.

The slip will contain key information such as each candidate’s exam date and time.

“All candidates are required to present valid identification at the examination centre. Acceptable forms of identification include Staff Identity Cards, National Identification Number (NIN) slips, and Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) cards,” the statement said.

Candidates are also required to bring printed copies of their examination slips to the venue and must strictly follow the date and time allocated to them.

The board further advised candidates to acquaint themselves with basic computer skills ahead of the exercise, as the examinations will be conducted using a Computer-Based Test, CBT, format.

It also warned that dressing must be formal, adding that inappropriate dressing will not be allowed at the examination centre.

Candidates were urged to comply fully with all instructions to ensure a smooth and orderly process.

“The Lagos State Examinations Board urges all candidates to comply fully with these guidelines to ensure a smooth and orderly examination process,” the statement added.