Environment Rights activists have begun sensitising public opinion and the
authorities on the imperatives of  investigating  the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC's   operations within the last few decades with a view of establishing the oil company repeated cases of impunity, and flouting of laws on  explosions, spillages and pollution.

 Announcing Wednesday, its findings after a Joint Investigation Visit to the  oil spillage site in the Azuzuama community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State,  the Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoE)  indicted NAOC for  the July pipeline explosion that killed 14 persons.

The Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Ojo, at a news conference tagged, 'Environment Parliament', alleged that the impunity and fragrant disregard for environmental regulations by Agip had resulted in massive environmental degradation and destruction of rural livelihoods over several decades of its operation in the Niger-Delta.

Asserting that  the preliminary investigations over the July Pipeline explosion showed that the repair works at the site of the spillage was done without safety measures, the environmental group maintained that  Agip is liable for the death of the 14 persons and demanded  $28 million compensation

Ojo argued that over the years, NAOC has flouted laws governing oil spills and prevention of environmental degradation and security of lives and property and  therefore demanded the revocation of operational licence of Agip becaus of  their persistent and criminal liability in the frequent fire explosions and deaths recorded over the period

Ojo argued that  "As in other cases, the vegetation,  trees and cash crops and livelihoods on both sides of the pipeline covering several hectares were severely burnt.

"Certainly, Agip is not meeting their own internal rules. They are also not meeting the regulations and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

He  urged the Federal Government to set up immediate investigative panel to ascertain  the cause of the  fire and explosion with a view to putting  in place all necessary precautionary steps in future repairs.

He also advocated review of oil spill contingency plan and protocols that will put safety above every other thing including production and profit.

Ojo asked the State and Federal Government to ensure that Agip complies with international standards in oil pipeline clamping and procedures which must also guarantee the safety of workers, regulators and the communities.

He stressed that beyond the need for investigation, Agip must provide public response to the frequent fire explosion incidents as well as conduct immediate clean up and environmental remediation.

Ojo also added: "While a price cannot be placed on the loss of human lives, we urge the payment of the sum of $2 million each to the families of the bereaved since their breadwinners have been taken away from them abruptly.This will serve as a deterrent to Agip and other oil companies on the need to put lives first before profit."

He said the government and oil companies, particularly the Agip must also ensure that only competent firms were engaged as contractors to carry out clamping jobs that required high levels of professionalism.

He added, "Agip must be brought to book following cases of negligence, equipment failure and substandard mode of clamping procedures."

"Agip should adequately compensate the bereaved families with the sum of $2 million  each and immediately   revisit the  Ozochi tragedy and Etieama incidents and  adequately compensate families of the victims. Also, Agip should provide response to the fire explosion incident, conduct immediate cleanclean up and environmental remediation and pay compensation for destroyed livelihoods."