The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has officially confirmed an oil spill that occurred on October 3 at its facilities in the Peremabiri community, located in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The oil leak reportedly affected numerous farmlands, some of which had economic trees, as well as the marine environment. The community members believe that the oil spill was caused by equipment failure.
Mr. Michael Adande, a spokesperson for SPDC, confirmed this development on Friday. He mentioned that a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the site of the incident was already underway to determine the cause and quantify the volume of the oil discharged.
The JIV is a legally required investigation that includes representatives from the operator, the host community, and regulatory agencies. It aims to produce a comprehensive report outlining the cause and the extent of pollution following each reported spill.
Adande said, “A government-led Joint Investigation Team is currently on a Joint Investigation Visit to the site of the incident to determine the cause and the impact of the incident.”
NAN reports that the leak from the Diebu Creek Flow station, operated by the SPDC in Peremabiri, discharged a yet-to-be-ascertained volume of crude oil to adjourning areas of the community and the Nun River.
The Programme Manager, Environmental Right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Mr Alagoa Morris, in a reaction, said the oil leak had polluted the ecosystem.
He said that the resultant pollution from the oil spill has adversely affected the predominantly farming and fishing settlements along the banks of River Nun.
Morris, who is also the Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Environment, commended the peaceful disposition of the victims.
He urged the regulatory agencies to ensure that the SPDC immediately carries out the required clean-up process to save indigenes of Peremabiri Community from economic and health challenges.
An impacted farmer, Mrs. Yenimi Timipre, also bemoaned having her fishing gear stained by crude and rendered useless.
Also, the Deputy Woman Leader of Peremabiri Community, Mrs Favour Morgan, lamented that the spill has destroyed their fishing nets, traps, crops and polluted the whole aquatic environment, and demanded for succour.
“This oil spill has thrown the Peremabiri people into despair. We are into farming and fishing as our means of livelihood and the toxic oil from Shell’s oil field has damaged our livelihood sources.
“We are helpless and in dire need of intervention by way of relief and succour to farmers and fishermen,” Morgan said.
[NAN]
