The Foropa 2 community’s leadership in Foropa Middleton Kingdom’s Southern Ijaw Local Government Area has bemoaned being shut out of affected areas due to the Oando-operated Tebidaba-Ogboinbiri pipeline spill on October 4.
The coastal village, known as Apie-Ama, expressed dissatisfaction about their exclusion from the Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the spill site, despite the overwhelming evidence and the negative impact on the community, which is primarily agricultural and fishing.
Newsmen in Yenagoa were informed on Friday by Chief Joseph Anda, Traditional Ruler (Amananawei of Foropa 2), that it was inappropriate to exclude the community.
According to the traditional ruler, the community is bringing the development to the notice of Oando and the federal and state governments to resolve the irregularity.
Anda clarified that because of the extent of the damage the Oct. 4 oil leak caused to both the environment and humans, the exclusion was met with complaints.
The state government team that visited the region for assessment confirmed the impact of the oil leak on the Foropa 2 village, he said, and they insisted that Foropa 2 be treated equally with other affected communities.
It is insufficient to exclude us from the investigating team, but claiming that we are unaffected is equivalent to double jeopardy, as the law states. We cannot endure double portions since that would be extremely unfair.
The traditional ruler stated, “We implore the oil company, Oando, and pertinent agencies to examine the facts and evidence and incorporate Foropa 2 into the spill response and remediation process.”
