Stanley Orha
The Host
Communities Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCOMYCN) has called for immediate
intervention to address the ongoing crisis in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local
Government Area of Rivers State, following a recent fire outbreak at an oil
wellhead. The incident, attributed to the deteriorating state of pipelines and
infrastructure in the region, has left the community and its environs in
distress.
In a statement
issued by Comrade Fiawei E. Pathfinder, President of HOSTCOMYCN, the youths
criticized the NNPC Limited/Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint
Venture (JV) for failing to address the fire incident promptly. According to
the group, the fire, which could have been avoided through regular maintenance,
has exacerbated the challenges faced by the community, including threats to
livelihoods and environmental degradation.
“The fire
incident that has engulfed Buguma is a result of the JV’s neglect of critical
oil infrastructure, much of which is corroded due to prolonged exposure to the
saline swamp environment. Regular inspections could have prevented this
disaster,” the statement read. The group also highlighted the slow response of
the JV to the crisis, accusing them of leaving the community vulnerable to
exploitation by vandals.
The fire has
severely impacted the daily lives of Buguma residents, many of whom rely on
fishing and other means of subsistence. HOSTCOMYCN expressed solidarity with
the affected families, lamenting the JV’s apathy despite Buguma’s significant
contributions to the nation’s oil and gas output.
The statement
further outlined specific demands to mitigate the disaster’s effects and
prevent future occurrences. These include immediate maintenance and replacement
of decayed oil infrastructure, adequate compensation for affected residents,
and the construction of housing and healthcare facilities for the community.
Additionally, the group called for the provision of clean water and the
establishment of a panel of inquiry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who serves
as the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
HOSTCOMYCN also
warned that failure to meet these demands would compel the council to take
decisive action after thorough consultations.
In conclusion,
the group condemned the JV’s negligence, urging accountability and swift
remediation efforts to restore normalcy to the beleaguered community. The
statement underscored the urgency of addressing the systemic issues plaguing
Buguma and similar host communities in the Niger Delta
