A non-governmental organisation, the Environmental Defenders Network, has called for urgent measures towards tackling an oil leak from a well-head located at the New Calabar River, in Asari Toru, Rivers State.

The Executive Director, Chima Williams, made the call in a statement by EDEN’s Media Manager, Elvira Jordan, in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

Mr Williams, who did not mention the owner of the facility, said that the leak had resulted in a fire outbreak between Bukuma and Buguma communities in Asari Toru.

He said that the leak which occur’red in early January, and the resultant fire outbreak constituted a huge assault on the environment.

“The oil leakage has been allowed to go on for too long. We got a Save-Our-Soul message from the affected communities, The information we have is that the fire started after an Air Force Helicopter was seen shooting to ward off oil bunkerers around the well-head,” he said.

The executive director expressed worry that concerned government bodies were unable to take necessary actions towards protecting the environment.

He said, “It smacks of gross negligence and failure in service delivery to see that the leakage was left without clamping for such a long time.’’

William urged the Rivers State environment ministry and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, to quickly swing into action in the interest of the affected communities.

He said that aside from the environmental and ecological damage, residents of the affected communities had been exposed to some health challenges.

“We also urge the military to adopt more professional and environment-friendly ways of tackling oil theft and bunkering to avoid unnecessary damage to oil facilities and the environment,” he said.

(NAN)