An underwater gas pipeline leakage on the Orashi River is unsettling natives and residents of Oshie, Akinima and other communities in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The rupture on the pipeline operated by Oando Nigeria PLC was first noticed by community members last year and has continued with gas still bubbling from the spot on the River.
The people of the area are calling on relevant authorities to rescue them from the pollution and health hazards caused by the gas leak.
Natives say the gas leakage which has lasted for over a year on the Orashi River from Oshie oil field previously operated by AGIP Oil Company and inherited by OandO has affected about seven communities within Engenni kingdom such as Oshie and Akinima.
Paramount ruler of Oshie Community, Chief Patrick Miller noted that the people were undergoing untold hardship as a result of the pollution which has affected their health adversely as well as their source of livelihood and water.
President of Engenni Youth Assembly, Okenya Onem, Youth President of Oshie, Odum Friday and Akinima Youth President, Ikalama Wilcox all said the people were suffering the harsh effects of the gas leak.
For some of the women including 59-year-old Ngozi Ididie and Queen Jacob children and adults now fall ill easily from using the water just as their sources of livelihood are being destroyed.
Deputy Director of the Environmental Defenders Network, Chief Alagoa Morris and a native of Akinima, Mr. Udiomine Alfred called on OANDO to immediately mobilize to stop the ongoing gas leak on Orashi River as a show of concern and Corporate Environmental Responsibility.
EDEN urged relevant authorities to previal on Oando to take immediate steps to protect the health and livelihood of the Engenni people, charging Government, the Rivers State and Federal Ministies of Environment to rise to the occasion to protect the environment as well as provide potable water for the people of Oshie and Akinima communities as soon as possible.
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