The people of Polobubo-Tsekelewu Community in Wari North Local Government Area, Delta State have issued an emergency call to the authorities of an impending danger on the lives of the indigenes after a fire outbreak engulfed a Chevron Nigeria Limited owned oil wellhead in the community.

Community members reported that there had been a raging fire at Ikpalakpala-Bou (Ojumade) since April 18, 2019.

However, the community is pleading to the Federal Government, World Health Organization (WHO) and other relevant agencies to come to their aid to save them as the environment is already having an adverse effect on their health as a result of the inferno.

Speaking to newsmen, Chairman of Polobubo Oil and Gas Committee, Ologun Azikboro, he said, “On Monday evening, that was about 4:30pm to 5:00pm we started seeing some dark particles coming down from the sky, settling on everything: the roots, the ground and everything outside, including those of us doing one thing or the other outside.

“This made everybody to start panicking and running to hide. It was later we realized that the sky above us had been taken over by a strange smoke, which we later learnt was coming from the wellhead fire.

The President, Polobubo-Tsekelewu National Council, Ebilate Mac-Yoroki called on the Federal and State government to come to their plight.

He said, “Our appeal is to the Federal Government, our Governor, Dr. Okowa and World Health Organization, they should rally round and save us from this plot targeted at exterminating Polobubo people. I don’t think we have been wrong for being peaceful and accommodating host community. For close to two months, this fire has been on and now it is getting bigger.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs for Chevron Nigeria Limited, Brikinn Esimaje said, “We have been in engagement with all relevant stakeholders, including communities, Government of Ondo State and regulatory agencies on the fire incident.

Kristina Reports learnt that the current fire incident actually occurred at the NNP/CNL JV’s Ojumole Well 1 in Ondo State as disclosed by Esimaje.