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About 63 days after Ojumole Well 1 in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State was gutted by fire, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has declared that the inferno has been successfully put out through post-incident activities.
General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs of CNL, operators of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL Joint Ventures (NNPC/CNL JV), Esimaje Brikinn, confirmed this in a statement in Akure yesterday commending all stakeholders for their support, while the incident lasted.
Meanwhile, reports from the company and other regulatory agencies attributed the inferno to interference of third party, who released hydrocarbon that caused combustion.
Ojumole field in NNPC/CNL JV’s Western Niger Delta area of operations was gutted by fire on Thursday, April 18, 2019, spreading to Ororo, Parable Field, Isan-West Field, Opokaba and Malu Field and other communities in the area.
Other riverine communities reportedly affected by the fire were Ehinmoghan-Ikorigho, Iluayo, Otumara, Ikorigho, Ajegunle-Ikorigho, Zion Ikorigho and Kendo Ayeren communities in Ondo State.
“CNL wishes to thank all stakeholders, neighbouring communities, Ondo and Delta state governments, regulatory authorities and security agencies that worked with the NNPC/CNL JV to ensure that the fire caused by third party interference, was safely put out.
“Accredited independent environmental consultants have been monitoring the environment since the incident occurred with support from regulatory agencies. In addition, CNL employees are on site and normal activities are ongoing in the area,” the statement reads.
Esimaje revealed that CNL was working on all requisite post-incident activities, which would be consistent with the relevant environmental laws, regulations and guidelines.
He stressed CNL’s commitment to protecting people and the environment, insisting that CNL places high priority on the health and safety of communities around its areas of operation, its workforce, as well as protection of the environment and its assets.
“We continue to conduct our operations safely, reliably and efficiently, with utmost consideration for protection of people and the environment,” he added.