Onyedi Gabriel, Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Agip Oil Company has denied reports that its facilities spewed crude oil into the Orashi River in Rivers State.
The oil firm in a statement on Thursday evening said its investigations showed that no part of its facility was compromised, noting that the oil observed on the river seemed to have emanated from activities of illegal refiners of crude oil.
The company said, “As soon as rumors of a spill emerged, a field inspection was performed on July 29, 2020 jointly with community representatives from Obrikom and Omoku, as well as officials from NOSDRA and Rivers State Ministry of Environment.
” No oil leakage point along the Orashi river channel on any NAOC facility was observed. Furthermore, the oil appeared to be weathered, that is not consistent with oil that has just been produced. For these reasons, the company excludes the possibility of said oil originating from its facilities.
“As an addition, during the investigation several sources of illegal refineries and oil theft loading points and illegal oil transport boats were observed along Orashi river shoreline, which will be hopefully removed and cleaned-up soon with the support of all stakeholders in the area, since they are clearly the source of significant oil pollution in the river and likely the source of this specific oil spill.
“The company remains committed to the sustainability of its business and the well-being of the communities where it operates, and discourages the spread of unverified news that can wrongly affect its reputation.”