Liquefied Natural Gas
Suffocates Man to Death
Tragedy struck in Ejamah
Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria when a young
man was suffocated to death while digging a Suck Away pit.
We gathered that the victim, Mr. Emmanuel Okulu and a colleague were hired to dig the suck away pit.
Investigations revealed that Okulu, an unemployed 30 years old man was inside the pit digging while his other colleague was outside the pit drawing out the bucket of sand when he noticed that the victim could no longer talk or move.
We gathered that the victim, Mr. Emmanuel Okulu and a colleague were hired to dig the suck away pit.
Investigations revealed that Okulu, an unemployed 30 years old man was inside the pit digging while his other colleague was outside the pit drawing out the bucket of sand when he noticed that the victim could no longer talk or move.
Eye witness said when his colleague went into the pit with
the aim of rescuing him; they were both trapped by the gas.
A rescuer who arrived few minutes later found Okulu and his
colleague unconscious. His body, it was learnt, was seriously drenched in
liquefied natural gas. He died on the spot while his colleague was rushed to
the hospital.
In January this year at Okpako Ejamah Ebubu, a woman was
reported to have died after inhaling fumes from toxic materials dumped in the
area.
Our investigation revealed that a deadly chemical container
was said to have busted open and leaked into the atmosphere, affecting the
respiratory system of many of the inhabitants of the area.
A Senior Minister of the Assemblies of God Church in the
area, Reverend Eugene Osarobele decried the state of the environment of area. He
pointed out that companies operating in Eleme and its environs use the place as
a junkyard for various forms of toxic waste and other dangerous materials without
recourse to environmental consequences of their actions.
“My concern is how these businessmen that are inhuman can be
controlled?”, he said.
“Last year they dumped something which exploded and fire
engulfed the whole place. People were burnt alive, properties worth millions of
naira were destroyed, yet nothing was done about it.
“This year again, the same business people have come to dump
chemicals and those mostly affected are pregnant women and children.”
Speaking to reporters in his palace the Paramount Ruler of Ejamah Clan, Chief Isaac Osaro Agbara lamented the death of Emmanuel Okulu and called on Shell Petroleum Development Company to accept responsibility for his dead.
A reliable palace source revealed that about two months ago,
there was a crude oil leakage from the ground which was not far from where the
pit was being dug which lead to the dead of Okulu. SPDC visited the scene with
their experts and armed soldiers. Indigenes and residents of the area were prevented
from witnessing what they were doing. We believe that the chemicals spread
around the area might have caused the death.
Expressing shock at the untimely death of Emmanuel Okulu his
elder brother, John Okulu described the deceased as a cool and easy going
person who would not look for people’s trouble. He wondered why SPDC should
know what kills his brother and they are being harassed with police and other
security agents. “They (SPDC) came here
with their police and staff saying they want to carryout autopsy examination on
our brother. We have no answer to give to them, so we kept quiet. Autopsy on
someone who died from liquefied natural gas’ suffocation after two weeks in the
morgue?” he lamented.
“Why is SPDC interested in trying to evade responsibility if
they don’t know what killed my brother?” he queried.
The level of pollution in the area is alarming. Right in the
community, close to the steam that used to be the people’s only source of
drinking water is a signpost erected by SPDC with the inscription, “WARNING! DO
NOT DRINK, FISH OR SWIM HERE”. The questions on the people's lips are:
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