The Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, has urged the Senate to revoke the operating license of AITEO to serve as a deterrent to other careless oil companies.
In a sponsored motion on Tuesday, the lawmaker criticised the environmental pollution in Nembe community caused by crude oil and gas spill at Santa Barbara well 1, OML 29 operated by AITEO Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited.
In his submission, he maintained that the revocation would inculcate discipline in operators in the oil and gas industry.
Senator Degi-Eremienyo expressed disappointment at AITEO Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited in handling the incident, which he said led to the waste of over 2 million barrels of hydrocarbon and gas.
He said the degree of the incompetence of the operating company was sufficient for it to be sanctioned as he urged the red chambers to adopt the motion.
“Notes with deep concern the threat that this incident poses to the health of the people of the host communities as the air and water have been contaminated, and also the possibility of a fire outbreak from the oil well if this wanton release of oil and methane gas continues unstopped;
“Notes with concern the continuous gushing and spewing of oil and gas into the waterways and mangrove vegetation of Opu Nembe area of Bayelsa State from a long-sealed, nonproducing but unattended oil well 1, Santa Barbara OML 29 belonging to AITEO Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited.”
He noted that the same oil well had in the past years spilt extensively, and the current incident resulted from maximum pressure from piled up gas in the well.
The Senate unanimously adopted the prayers, urging AITEO Eastern Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited to urgently seek, explore and deploy the appropriate highest level of expertise and technology to stop the spill.
The chamber also charged the operating company to prevent continued damage of oil and gas spills to the environment.
