Okwuzi Women Protest Against AGIP

 

The women of Okwuzi Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government Areas of Rivers State have cried out over the continued flaring of gas by Agip Oil Company operating in their community. 

They called on the government and the Oil Company to end gas flaring in their community saying that it has brought untold suffering and health challenges to them.

Speaking on Tuesday  to Peace Mgbewa, former Public Relations Officer of Okwuzi Women Organization during an impact assessment Interview session organized by a Port harcourt based Non Governmental Organization, Media Awareness and Justice Initiative, MAJI in Okwuzi community, she  lamented that oil exploitation activities resulting to gas flaring and spillages have caused havoc to their environment while the government  has failed to protect the environment.  

According to  Mgbenwa, 

Okwuzi used to be a fishing zone as well as a high farming area adding  that these cultures are no longer in  existence due to pollution of air, land and water bodies in the community caused by AGIP.

 She said there were occasions when gas leakage forced many community members out of their farmlands and even homes noting  that  the pollution caused by AGIP has been the major reason for increased suffering of community people.

Maintaining that women are the most impacted, she said that gas flaring and oil pollution have impacted heavily on their health. 

She said "There are unusual changes in the body system of women such as early menopause in young women, regular body rashes, prevalent breast cancer and eye diseases on both middle age women and young girls.

"The women of Okwuzi community had protested over the plights of their community demanding an end to gas flaring but instead of the company to give the protesting women audience, they were forcefully chased away.

"I recall an instance when the advocacy team of the women attempted to carry out an advocacy visit to the company, but the team was rebuffed by the representatives of the company.

"The  women re-strategized and put together a women advocacy team to engage with the company and communicate their demands, they were again met with unresponsive actions, with Agip in one instance. 

Another community member,  Amadi Confidence, a young farmer lamented over the destruction of their farmlands saying that their soil is no longer fertile. 

He recalled how productive the farmlands and fishing areas of Okwuzi community used to be in the past before the commencement of oil activities that have polluted the farmlands and rivers.  

He indicated that traditional species of fish such as Atabala, Ntia and many others, were no more available within the community fishing creeks.

 He reiterated the health challenges faced by the community with increased cases of lung disease being experienced in the community.