Oil spill from Mobil Producing Nigeria, the operator of Qua Iboe Terminal, has affected three communities of Nkpana; Inua Eyet Ikot and Esuk Ikim Ekeme in Ibeno Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State.
The oil spill was said to have occurred when a thunderstorm sparked and caused immense tank fire.
A statement by Mobil Public Affairs manager, Mr. Akaniyene Esiere said the total loss arising from oil spill had not been ascertained.
Speaking on the development, the Village Head of Iwuo Okpom, a community in Ibeno, Okon AKpanubong, condemned the oil giant for endangering the lives of its host communities.
Akpanubong urged Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) to begin the clean-up exercise of the fresh oil spill in the area without delay. He noted that the management had inspected the site and promised to get back to the communities.
The Village Head lamented that there had been series of oil spill since the company came on board, thus making the local communities lose confidence in Mobil.
His words: “Saturday night another super oil spill from the storage facility occurred after serious heavy rain and thunderstorms. The spill has extended to the ocean and come out to the coastal communities.
“Oil spill is detrimental to health as it affects the lives of human beings, plants and fishing. You know Document1 families?”
He appealed to the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to come to the rescue of the Ibeno people.
Also, the Coordinator of Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria, John Etim, said fishermen are facing untold hardship as a result of oil spill in Ibeno.
He said: “Today, water is not better for the fishermen to fish; the oil spill affects the lives of the fishes and other aquatic life.
“Every fish that lives in the water will escape to other neighbouring countries that will have clean water to survive.”
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