Agip rig, others sealed in Bayelsa

Abiodun OBA

The Nigerian Agip Oil Company oil rig in Biseni area of the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa has been sealed off.

The rig was sealed over alleged violation of the environmental, health, technical integrity and safety checks required in line with the State Physical Planning and Development Law (2015).

Also sealed was a popular night club, a hotel and entertainment centre, all in the state capital, Yenagoa

The sealing of the Agip and others is in compliance with a court order directing the board to effect sealing of the illegal development pending conformity with the law for the purposes of inspection and conduct of health, technical, integrity safety and environmental checks.

The Chairman of Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board, Ebi Waribigha, explained that the exercise followed an eviction order issued by the State Physical Planning and Development Tribunal in Yenagoa.

The order granted the government leave to effect the eviction of Agip and all occupants of the premises to enable the board to conduct checks at the facility.

The facility was reportedly built without a building permit as required by the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Law (2015).

The court also directed the Commissioner of Police, the Commander of the Joint Task Force and all security agencies to facilitate the enforcement of the eviction.

Waribigha said, “The owner of the facility continued work despite a subsisting stop-work order and a notice to discontinue drilling on the site without permit.”

Meanwhile, the authorities of the state Physical Planning Board has concluded arrangements to file contempt of court charges against the owner of the night club for allegedly breaking into a property it sealed under a court order.