a pipeline explosion

An environmental rights activist, Mr Alagoa Morris, on Saturday described attacks on crude export trunk lines operated by Agip and Aiteo, as a disservice to Niger Delta people by the Niger Delta Avengers, the group which has claimed responsibility for the sabotage of the crucial oil facilities.

While condemning the series of attacks carried out on Nigeria’s oil facilities in the past few days, the environmentalist said the group had succeeded in doing further damage to the environment in Niger Delta.

Morris described incidents of recent pipelines sabotage as self-inflicted injury on the part of Niger Delta people.

“It is very certain that whenever oil /gas facilities are so attacked; there would be spill and leakages. The negative impact on the environment cannot be less than oil spills or gas leaks from other causes, simply because the causative agents are people fighting for their right,” Alagoa said.

He added that the impact of the attacks will not be different from  those resulting from equipment failure or operational failure.

“Incidents such as Shell’s Bonga spill of December, 2011, Chevron’s KS Endeavour explosion of Jan. 16,2012, off Koluama in Bayelsa, and Agip’s Nov. 27, 2013 spill at Brass Terminal.

“These three incidents are all caused by operational failure, human error.

“And, due to the impact on the environment and livelihood; some communities, groups and individuals are in court with these oil companies; seeking compensation for damages and loss of livelihood,” Morris said.

He said that those who breathe in air so polluted, eat food or fish so polluted, and drink same impacted water faces carbon related health risks.

He explained that when the environment is so impacted and loses fecundity, it takes several years to recover.