Landlords fume, threaten legal action against Frontier Oil over toxic wastes

Adebayo Obajemu

In Edo community area of Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State , landlords to a piece of land known as ‘Ikot Esa Ufia’ have threatened a legal action against an oil firm, Frontier Oil Limited, for allegedly dumping hazardous crude oil wastes on the property without authorization, or agreement from them.

Solicitor to the landlords, Ime Edemeka Esq, stated that the toxic crude oil wastes dumped on the property between 4th and 26th January 2024 had destroyed all the economic crops on the property worth millions of Naira, which according to him was his clients major source of livelihoods.

Edemeka in a letter to the Managing Director of Frontier Oil Limited, sighted by our correspondent in Port Harcourt, demanded the sum of N1billion as compensation for the act which he described as condemnable, illegal and injurious to his clients.

He warned that failure of Frontier Oil Limited to undo the offensive act and comply with its demand within seven days, he will not hesitated to head to the court for a legal redress.

The letter reads in part, “Your company’s agents between 4” January – 26 January 2024 without our clients’ authorization, illegally invaded our clients’ expanse of land known as “Ikot Esa Ufia” situate and lying at Edo Village, Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa lbom State, proceeded to dump its industrial waste thereat consisting of oil slicks and refuse on our clients’ aforesaid land.

“This act led to the total destruction of our clients’ economic crops worth millions of Naira which constitutes the main source of our clients’ livelihood.

“The oil waste deposited by your company apart from the various negative impact as same is highly reactive and a toxic pollutant to the environment also contaminated totally our clients’ aforesaid parcel of land, polluted the ground water, exposed our clients to several health concerns thereat without any justification whatsoever/howsoever and in gross violation of the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.

“Arising from the above, we hereby demand that your company undo its offensive, condemnable and illegal act with regards the injuries caused our clients’ and pay our clients the sum of N1,000,000,000 only as damages and compensation.

“Take notice that should your company fail, refuse and neglect to comply with the above stated demand within seven days upon the receipt of this letter, we shall without further recourse to you proceed to court to seek redress. Be reminded that it is always profitable to adhere to wise counsel as a stitch in time saves nine.”