Drilling Platform Fire: IYC Tasks Britannia-U to Take Responsibility, Action

The Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone has tasked Britannia-U Nigeria Limited to take responsibility and appropriate actions in the aftermath of a fire incident that rocked the Ajakpa Field (OML 90) drilling platform.

This is as the leadership of the body comprising of Ijaw youths in Delta, Edo and Ondo States expressed displeasure with an alleged negligence displayed by the company.

Daily Report Nigeria reports that the inferno engulfed the drilling vessel at the Ajakpa Field on Thursday, July 18. 2024, with the cause of the outbreak still to be made public.

In a statement on Sunday by the trio of Nicholas Igarama – Chairman, Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo – Secretary, and Tare Magbei – Information Officer, the IYC Western Zone urged the company to take take mitigating actions without further delay.

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The statement, drawn at the end of a fact-finding fact-finding mission to the Ajakpa Field (OML 90) drilling platform of Britannia-U Nigeria Limited, reads;

“The Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone, embodies the lamentations of Ijaw communities in Ogulagha Kingdom and its environment that are affected by the fire incident at the Ajakpa Field (OML 90) drilling platform of Britannia-U Nigeria Limited, 10.77 nautical miles south of Forcados Terminal in Delta State, Nigeria, which occured on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

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“The IYC Western Zone expresses concern that more than 72 hours after the unfortunate incident that has attracted widespread attention, the facility remain in flames.

“While we sympathize with the company over the sad incident resulting to losses, we condemn in strong terms the level of negligence displayed by Britannia-U Nigeria Limited in the face of potential escalation.

“We have it in good authority that the havoc-wrecking inferno could have been avoided if the company had prioritized the welfare of our people by sustaining regular maintenance and repair measures.

“The IYC Western Zone calls on Britania-U to with immediate effect put off the flames at the facility to avert wrecking further havoc that could arise from the incident site.

“The IYC Western Zone witnessed with utmost dismay the level at which spilt crude oil content has overtaken the River Forcados once again.

“Suffice to say that the River Forcados is not only a body of water but a lifeblood of numerous communities, providing essential resources and serving as a vital source of livelihood. The recent incident poses a great threat to the environmental health and economic well-being of communities situated along the River Forcados.

“That Britannia-U Nigeria Limited should urgently implement actionable strategies to mitigate the impending harsh effects as a result of the incident by providing relief materials to its host – Ogulagha Kingdom, and other communities exposed to these challenges.

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“That failure of Britannia-U Nigeria Limited to address the aforementioned resulting effects of the explosion and appropriate compensation according to international practice would be perceived as a slight and disregard for the welfare of residents of affected communities, that would not be tolerated.

“Until appropriate remedial measures are effected in full adequacy, the IYC Western Zone will continue to hold Britannia-U Nigeria Limited accountable.

“Emphatically, we demand utmost accountability and immediate action from Britannia-U Nigeria Limited restore the River Forcados to a liveable condition.”