The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Port Harcourt on Thursday charged ExxonMobil to clean up the recent oil spill in Akwa Ibom State.

DPR Zonal Operation Controller in Port Harcourt, Mrs Onyebuchi Sibeudu, gave the charge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket, Akwa Ibom.

Sibuedu, who said the current oil spill could not be traced to any multinational company, however, urged ExxonMobil to clean up the spill since its facility was closest to Ibeno.

“Normally the nearest oil company will have to clean up the oil spill; we have had too many cases of spillage in the same area which is now becoming worrisome,” she said.

Sibuedu said that the department was strategising on ways to carry out finger printing analysis to determine the source of oil spill.

“We want to take the sample and do what we call finger printing that will help us trace the origin of the crude; that is where we are now,” she said.

NAN recalls that the oil spill occurred at Mkpanak community close to the Ibeno beach and some neighbouring local government areas in Akwa Ibom on April 19.

The Manager, Media and Communication for ExxonMobil, Ogechukwu Udeagha, said that the company had observed some oil-based substances on the shoreline of the Ibeno beach.

He restated ExxonMobil’s continued commitment to maintaining safety, health and environmental standards in its operations.

Udeagha also said the company was committed to the well-being of its neighbouring communities. (NAN)

•Photo shows oil spill