Premier exploration could endanger environment: legislators

Two factions at the Gresik district legislative council in East Java found out that the location where Premier Oil was exploring for oil was located right in the estuary of the Solo river in Ujung Pangkah, Gresik, that could endanger the environment and could inflict losses to local fishermen and farmers.

After touring the location of the exploration and speaking with local people on Wednesday (Jan. 17), the Joint Faction and the Nation Awakening Party (PKB) faction found out that the exploration activities in the estuary could endanger the living of various fish there and could also affect people's fishponds nearby and also swallow cultivation.

Masykur Has of the PKB faction said that the information given by Premier Oil differed with the facts and information gathered from local people. "It means that Premier Oil does not care about the surrounding ecosystem."

He said the protest by the people was understandable, and called on Premier Oil to take notes of the protest.

"We don't reject (the exploration), but Premier Oil is expected to be careful in selecting the location so that the impacts of drilling activities will not destroy the surrounding environment, moreover the economy of the local people," Masykur said.

Muslih Abduh of the Joint faction supported Masykur's statement and said the location of the exploration was too close with the sea shores, and therefore it could inflict losses to local fishermen and farmers.

In a dialogue with the councilors, local people expressed their rejection against Premier Oil's exploration activities in their areas.

Ujung Pangkah resident Muslih, for instance, said that the activities could scare away swallows that have become a source of living for many local people.

"We want that Premier Oil stop its exploration activities because it will kill the economy of the people," Muslih said. (*)