Residents of Obrikom Community in Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State are calling on the Government to prevail on Nigeria Agip Company to clean up their environment affected by activities of the company.
The people lamented that for over fifty years that Agip has been operating in the area, they have not enjoyed any benefit from the company, while their farmlands and rivers are pollution.
One of the residents, Mr. Wisdom Paul who was seen amending his nets at a waterfront and another resident Mrs. Comfort Peter who was peeling cassava narrated their ordeal .
On his part, Secretary General Omoku City Council of Traditional Rulers and Chief, Martins Nwachukwu decried the inhumane treatment meted out on the people by the company.
Chief Nwachukwu appealed to the Government to call the company to order noting that the people have decided that Agip Company will have to renegotiate with the community before they can allow their operations again.
He explained that the people who were mainly farmers and fishers can no longer carry out their activities and are dying on a daily basis .
However,one of the youth leaders in the area , Ambassador Hopsin Ikem said they are giving seven days ultimatum to the company to negotiate with the community or leave their land.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Commissioner for Environment Mr. Igbiks Tamuno who visited the oil impacted sites assured the people that the Government will fight for their interest.
Mr. Tamuno said their is an ongoing investigation with the company and some other agencies .
Our correspondent reports that in one of the oil wells visited the environment was burnt and the people blamed Agip for the act.
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