Bala Wunti: Spillage At Bodo Community Successfully Clamped

On Saturday, October 8, 2022, Bala Wunti, the General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), announced that the spill in the Bodo Community in Rivers State’s Gokana LGA had been successfully clamped and stopped.

According to series of tweet on his verified twitter handle, Wunti said, “Today, we achieved another great milestone on my second trip (within a week) to Bodo community. The faulty section of the Trans Niger Pipeline was clamped, and the spillage successfully stopped. With the completion of repairs, environmental remediation will commence in earnest

“We will all go to bed feeling better tonight, knowing that the oil spill into the Bodo community has successfully been contained and that NNPC Limited trust rebuilding efforts with our beloved host community has fully taken shape and paying off.

“All the parties have respected the outcome of the open discussions that led to this moment. In the coming days, not only will the Bodo community indigenes live in a cleaner and healthier environment, but the nation will also receive much-needed relief.

“Watching the contractors plug the leak and tighten the bolts to hold the clamp in place was gratifying. This memory will live with me for forever! At NNPC, our commitment to ensuring safety and safeguarding the well-being of our host communities remains unwavering.

“Our appreciation and gratitude go to the members of the host communities, the community leaders that stood up to be counted, and the hardworking and indefatigable Government Security Agencies, NNPC staff, and contractors involved throughout the process.

Recall that on Saturday, 1st October 2022 Engr Bala Wunti had visited damaged site to see the progress of work done.

In a series of tweet, Enger Wunti said, “It was a profound pleasure for me to be back amongst the peace-loving people of Bodo Community in Gokana LGA of Rivers State. Our visit today is of monumental significance as it provided us the opportunity re-connect with the good people of Bodo Community.

“This visit is part of our continuous journey to re-strengthen our trust with one of the communities where NAPIMS and its partners are conducting business. It is also a demonstration of NNPC’s strong commitments to its core value: integrity, excellence, and sustainability.

“At NAPIMS, we are able to achieve this because of the commendable support and commitment of the leadership of NNPCL under GCEO Malam Mele Kyari and our amiable Upstream GED Adokiye Tamboiemeye.

“Under our current leadership, NNPC businesses have continued to focus on “trust and strengthening partnerships” with our communities, operating partners, states and relevant stakeholders as well as focus on ESG in our operations.

“Our presence today is part of NAPIMS efforts towards re-opening the nation’s major liquid hydrocarbon delivery atrium – the Trans Niger Pipeline, a critical infrastructure in the crude oil export, which has been under force majeure for over 6 months.

“The NAPIMS leadership delegation under our dedicated General Manager of Joint Venture operations, Engr Zakariya Budawara, had spent the last one week with the Bodo community. During their stay, they gathered a deeper understanding of the challenges of the good people of Bodo.

“The Bodo people have demonstrated their traditional hospitality and commitment towards ensuring the security of our national hydrocarbon infrastructure in their domain.

“As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, NNPCL under the leadership of the Group CEO – Mallam Mele Kyari has continued to work with its host communities towards improving the quality of lives, creating business, employment and capacity development amongst others.

“I deeply appreciate the courageous Chairman of Gokona LGA – Hon Confidence Deko and member representing Gokana State Constistuency in the Rivers State House of Assembly – Hon. Dumle Maol.

“I must especially appreciate the traditional institutions led by Mene Mike Tekuru, religious leaders including Reverend Fathers, Pastors, and the vibrant great women and youths of Bodo for their trust, collaboration and partnership.

“In line with the focus of the NNPCL Management, we will continue to do all we can to better the lives of Bodo and the entire Ogoni people.