AGIP EXPLOSION, BAYALSA THREATENS AGIP OVER DELAY OF VICTIMS BURIAL

Bayelsa State government has threatened to sanction the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, management for unnecessary delay in releasing documents and remains of victims of the July 9 pipeline explosion at its oil field in Azuzuama.Fourteen people, including two regulatory officials of the Ministry of Environment and National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, died in the explosion at Agip’s oil fields in Azuzuama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa.Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, in an interview yesterday accused the NOAC management of withholding autopsy reports and death certificates of the victims.Wills, who berated the stance of the oil firm, said Bayelsa government frowned at the development, which had frustrated burial plans by families of the deceased.He said the state government would wield the big stick and give appropriate sanctions if the documents were not released immediately to allow the families bury their dead.“Managing Director of Agip has refused or has been foot-dragging to release the autopsy report, death certificate and collection card for our staff ’s remains several weeks on. We find this to be grossly indecent and an aggravation of the Azuzuama tragedy that we and the families are still grappling with.“The family continues to be in suspense and has had to change burial plans because of this. We would treat it as a provocation and respond with appropriate governmental sanctions if we don’t receive these papers immediately,” Wills said.Officials of NAOC, representatives of the host community and Bayelsa Ministry of Environment were investigating the cause of a recent oil spill in the area when the explosion occurred.Public Affairs Manager of NAOC, Mr Dan Jumbo, declined comments when contacted for reactions on the developments.