Delta community faults environmental assessment

After the recent submission of the controversial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report on the proposed Tsekelewu Oil Field, to the federal Ministry of Environment by Sahara Energy Field Limited, the Opuama Community, in Warri North Local Council of Delta State, has sent a petition to the federal ministry to protest the outcome of the report.

The EIA was commissioned by Sahara Energy Field Limited as part of the requirements by the ministry for it to begin work on the project.

But the community, in a petition addressed to the Minister of Environment, John Odey, on September 22, 2009, and signed by the Opuama Community leaders, including Abel Ugedi and 16 others, said the result of the assessment is capable of creating a crisis in the area.

The petitioners alleged that Sahara Energy and the traditional ruler of the area, G. O. E. Tiemo, the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, have colluded to present a report that they said is discriminatory to their community.

The petition referred to an earlier letter sent by the community, on July 28, 2009, which was addressed to the permanent secretary of the ministry on the said report.

Call for a new report

The minister was asked to "disregard the submitted EIA report, and the mischievous letter signed by the royal father and others sent to the ministry dated September 13, 2009".

Mr. Odey was also asked to "prevail on the Sahara Energy Field Limited to conduct another EIA, that will represent the interest of all the oil communities in Opuama, including the Olodua ruling House. We also recommend that the proposed oil field be called Olodua oil field".

An official of Sahara Energy, who said she was aware of the issue, however, said she was not in a position to comment on the community's petition to the minister and what Sahara Energy plans to do about it.