Kula Kingdom in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State have alleged that the massive oil spill from a facility operated by Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited occurred in its community and not in Bayelsa State.
They said that several weeks after the spill in some of the communities within the kingdom, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and oil firm had yet to take any action.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the spokesman for the kingdom, Ibiosiya Sukubo, alleged that an indigene, abducted and taken to Bayelsa State, claimed under duress that the spill occurred in Nembe, Bayelsa State instead of Rivers.
“We are also stating based on categorical imperatives that the said spill occurred in Kula in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State contrary to the earlier publication that it was in Bayelsa State.
“We are not oblivious of the fact that they (Bayelsa communities) could be impacted as our closest neighbours following the litoral nature of the spill. Kula is the host community.
“Unknown gunmen ransacked our community on October 31, 2021, and abducted our head of surveillance, Mr Abiye.
“He was taken to Bassambiri Nembe in Bayelsa State, thoroughly beaten and under duress, compelled to say that the territory belongs to Bassambiri.
“He was released through the intervention of the gallant Kula youths’ organisation in the Kalabari community of Bayelsa State on November 2, 2021.”
He also alleged that the oil company and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who hails from Bayelsa State, ensured relief materials and medical support were only sent to Bayelsa communities.
“On November 5, 2021, this massive spill occurred. Immediately Aiteo and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, ensured that relief materials and medicals were sent only to the communities in Bayelsa,” Sukubo stated.
He accused the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Aiteo of being inconsiderate to the challenges faced by the affected host communities in Akuku-Toru, appealing to Governor Nyesom Wike to intervene.
He also appealed to the Chairman of the Akuku-Toru LGA, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, the human rights community and relevant bodies to save the community.
