NSA Ribadu Visits Ogoni Oil Spill Site In Rivers

National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, visited a massive oil spill site at the Yorla oil field in Khana local government area of Ogoni land in Rivers State.

The NSA was accompanied one the visit by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal Abbas, and the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bayo Ojulari.

Speaking with journalists, Ribadu attributed the unfortunate incident to sabotage by criminally-minded persons.

He said: “All of us are here; we have seen the devastation. It is extensive, it is terrible. It is something that whoever sees it, won’t feel fine. It is unfortunate. Those who are in charge have done a good job to control it.

“We are able to at least stop this spillage. The spill has stopped. Now, the assessment of the damage and how to do something about it. The serious part of it is that it is a sabotage. It is a well that has not been functional for over 30 years.

“Some people, enemies of the people; unfortunately, very selfish will come and damage it with the hope of stealing. The damage they are doing is terrible; we have seen the damage they have done.”

Ribadu stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration, right from the beginning, has concern for the plight of the people of Ogoni.

“What we have done today; all of us we are worried and we have shown concern. It is a directive from Mr. President.

“Part of what we have done from the very beginning is engagement with the Ogonis and the Ogoni community. All what we are doing is community-driven. We put the community in front, we listen to them,” the NSA stated.