Ojumole fire incident: ODHA alleges Chevron of negligence

By Jubril Bada
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The meeting between  Ondo State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee and other stakeholders in the fire incident at Ugbo-llaje Ojumole Oil Well operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited was yesterday postponed.

The postponement of the meeting was as a result of the failure of lkorigho community, one of the affected communities in the inferno that occurred on April 18 this year to present recognised representative.

Mr. Bamidele Oleyelogun, Speaker of the House said the date for another meeting will be communicated after the on-the-spot assessment to scene of the inferno by the members of the committee.

Oleyelogun, who expressed displeasure over the negligence of chevron towards the fire incident that occurred 35 days ago said residents of the affected communities have been displaced and their properties destroyed.

The issue, which he said must be given adequate attention by chevron is how to put lasting solution to the incident assured the stakeholders not to see legislators at the House as unbiased representatives of people, adding that justice will be done to the fire incident.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Abayomi Akinruntan, who alleged the oil giant of using divide and rule tactics in lkorigho community condemned the company for not doing the needful since the incident occurred 35 days ago.

Members of the Committee demanded immediate intervention from the company to put off the fire as well come to the aid of the affected people though compensation.

Speaking, the State Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr.Tayo Adeniyi, said upon the various steps taken by the state government, the chevron company did not do the needful to curtail the fire.

Commenting, the representative of OdoNla community, Dr., Akin Akinruntan, expressed worries and said that the prosperity of the people of the affected communities from fishing as source of their livelihood has been vanished as they could not go for their daily economic activities.

According to him, “Where there is oil well being drilled, it causes heart diseases through carbon monoxide released to the air.

“Carbon dioxide from oil destroys lungs and cause cancer”

He demanded the company to pay adequate compensation to affected communities within 8kilometres radius.

Akinruntan also called on the company to address oil field well share with Delta State in order to forestall the break dawn of law

Responding, the General Manager, Chevron, Mr. Esimage Brikihn, said the necessary steps are being taken as more equipment and experts with regulatory agencies are on ground to control the fire.