OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO/ GODWIN AYOBAMI RACHEL
Residents of Maka Street off Shell Road in Sapele, Delta State have cried out that their water has been polluted as their lives are also in danger occasioned by oil spills allegedly from damaged pipelines owned by Seplat Petroleum Development Company.
Findings revealed that the spill that occurred weeks back has caused untold hardship on the people of the area
Speaking, a landlord in the area, Squadron Leader Roland Mujakperuo in Sapele narrated how his property manager woke him up weeks ago after his tenants found out that water from their wells was now oily and black.
According to Sq. Ldr. Mujakperuo, “he told me that there was presence of hydrocarbons in the Shallow wells in the compound and when I got here, I found out that not only my property but other properties in the area were affected too”.
Also speaking, Mrs. Anebi Johnson, another resident said, “the water stinks and for close to a month now we have not been able to drink from it, the oil has found its way deep into our wells”.
She spoke further, “when they (Seplat) came here, they gave us all kind of rules after inspecting the wells, we should not make phone calls or smoke, nor do this or that around here, I am an adult, what about the kids and others? Iam using this opportunity to call on government and relevant agencies to come to our rescue.”
Speaking further, Mujakperuo said though Seplat has refused to own up to the damages, they have called for two meetings and the community have also met with the affected persons, adding, “they said they were coming to do evacuation of the wells and they will drill other wells to do a comparative analysis of the pollution and up till now they are still foot-dragging.”
He added, “I have come under severe pressure to provide water for them, my borehole even packed up and I had to cough out some money to fixed the pumping machine. We are peace-loving people and we intend to go through the normal channel of getting Seplat to do the right thing.”
As at the time of filling this report, attempts to get clarification from SEPLAT proved abortive as phone calls to some management staff of the company were not answered.
