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The Havids Centre for Environment & Development has expressed deep concern over the recent oil spill on the Buguma field.
The environmental disaster has caused significant harm to the local ecosystem, threatening the livelihoods and well-being of communities reliant on fishing, farming, and clean water.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Harry Macmorrison, the centre called on relevant authorities, including the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and the operating companies, to take immediate and decisive action to contain the spill, remediate the affected areas, and ensure accountability.
It noted that It is imperative that preventive measures be strengthened to avert such incidents in the future.
Additionally, Havids condemned the ongoing use of harmful chemicals for fishing along the Sombrero and New Calabar Rivers, particularly in the regions of Idama, Soku, Bakana, and surrounding communities.
According to it, the practice, while aimed at increasing fish harvests, has devastating effects on marine biodiversity, water quality, and human health.
It pointed out that the indiscriminate use of chemicals not only depletes aquatic life but also introduces toxic substances into the food chain, endangering local populations and compromising the long-term sustainability of the rivers.
The centre explained that the combined impact of these environmental challenges is severe, leading to depletion of marine life, contamination of water resources, erosion of livelihoods and harm to ocean health.
Havids urged stakeholders, including environmental agencies, local authorities, oil companies, and community leaders, to implement strict regulations, promote sustainable practices, provide immediate relief and conduct comprehensive cleanup.
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