Barge Owner Denies Nembe E&P Involvement in Accident

Mr. Ebikeme Sokere, principal of Fazal Environmental Company, clarified that a minor accident involving his barge at the Nembe Creek facility in Bayelsa State was not connected to Nembe Exploration and Production Ltd. He explained that the vessel struck a broken block or debris while moving, describing the incident as minor and asserting that it had nothing to do with Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Ltd.

Sokere emphasized that the barge was not an operational crude-loading asset of the oil producer. The incident had initially raised environmental concerns, with the Health of Mother Earth Foundation reporting crude oil in waterways and demanding cleanup and compensation for affected residents.

However, sources familiar with the situation supported Sokere's account, stating that any association of the accident with Nembe Exploration's operations was misleading. Sokere expressed willingness to provide further information to clarify the circumstances surrounding the accident.