By Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has revealed that about 95% of oil spill in the Niger Delta Region is caused by sabotage.
Zonal Director of the agency in Port Harcourt, Sir Cyrus Titus Nkangwung, made this stunning revelation when officials of a non-governmental organization, Principles of Life International Institute (POLII) paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Odili Road, Port Harcourt recently.
Explaining further, Sir Nkangwung said the activities of oil bunkerers and pipeline vandals are major causes of oil spill.
He warned that one day the oil exploration will stop and the oil companies would depart but the devastation caused by the oil spill would remain for years to the detriment of those residing in the affected areas.
While calling on the youths involved in pipeline vandalisation and oil bunkering to desist from such acts, the NOSDRA Zonal Head lamented that life expectancy had reduced to about 46 years in Nigeria as a result of pollution of the environment.
He promised to partner with the Principles of Life International Institute in the areas of sensitization of the youths of the Niger Delta, awareness campaigns and seminars geared towards discouraging the youths from engaging in criminal activities.
Earlier, leader of the POLII delegation, Evangelist Princess Beauty, lamented that oil spills in the Niger Delta have resulted in contamination of the fresh waters in the region and pollution of the environment.
According to her, the activities of oil companies, which result in the oil spills, have destroyed sea foods in the region thereby exposing people with blood group O to such diseases as goiter because of the destruction of the iodine in the sea foods.
She also blamed the pipeline vandals and oil bunkerers for contributing to the contamination of the seas which are now full of saline and other harmful substances that cause lung, heart and liver diseases.
She called on NOSDRA to support her NGO in its awareness and sensitisation campaigns and other activities.
