The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Hon. Julius Pondi , has called for the immediate clean-up of communities affected by the oil spill and fire incident at Well 8, Buguma, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The resolution followed a committee hearing addressing a petition filed against the operations of NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited (NEOL). Hon Pondi directed the NNPCL and NEOL to urgently provide relief materials to the affected communities to mitigate the impact of the disaster. 

According to him,this hearing has been convened by the Committee on Environment to address a formal complaint filed by Messrs Anosike Egbuchiwe & Associates, on behalf of Friends of Eco Life and the affected communities, against NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited (NEOL) regarding the oil spill and fire incident at Well 8, Buguma, Degema LGA, Rivers State

He added that the incident has led to severe air pollution, significant contamination of water bodies and farmland, and the loss of biodiversity and marine habitats. Consequently, indigenous people and residents of Buguma and surrounding areas are now facing serious health risks and environmental hazards

Pondi  expressed concern over the devastating impact on livelihoods, as farming and fishing activities have been crippled for over three months while highlighting the dire conditions in which affected residents have been forced to live, with no access to clean drinking water, medical care, or basic necessities.