The Obololi community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has expressed their distress that no relief has been provided following the oil leak on February 16, which discharged crude oil and contaminated the Obololi River and surrounding creeks.
The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) traced the source of the leak to a 16-inch underwater pipeline running from Nun River to Kolo Creek, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
In an interview, the Chairman of the Obololi Community Development Committee (CDC), Goodnews Okoi, stated that the coastal community is experiencing severe water scarcity amid a cholera outbreak throughout the state.
The CDC Chairman noted that, due to the pollution of the Obololi River, which the residents previously relied upon for drinking and domestic use, they are forced to resort to purchasing sachet water at prohibitive prices.
Okoi said, “We feel abandoned; this oil spillage has adversely impacted the entire community. We have suspended our fishing vacation as our farmlands and creeks are also not spared.
“The cost of water has gone up by approximately 100 per cent to N50 naira per sachet and N800 per bag, the hardship is so much, given the general economic hardship.
“Sadly, the operator of the facility has not shown any concern on the sufferings caused by the spill.
“In fact, what the officials of SPDC tell us is that unless the Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) concludes on equipment failure, SPDC will not act.
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“Also, we have been expecting reliefs from the state government following the visit of Bayelsa Commissioner for Environment.
“The local government Chairman, Target Segibo, offered to rehabilitate an existing borehole. They started repairs, but the submersible pump failed, and they are yet to procure a replacement.”
Okoi noted that the oil firm had yet to engage the community on the recommendations by NOSDRA to divert the river to enable access to the leak point.
He explained that the community is nursing fear that creating a dam to divert the river will distort the navigability of the river.
The CDC chair further said: “This recommendation by NOSDRA is of great concern to us. How will the boats that bring goods, merchandise, and essential items come in? The SPDC has to factor these concerns and make the operations have a human face.
“Look at what we have been going through since the middle of February till date and the company has not provided any form of support in the face of the impact of the spill.”
It was further learnt from Obololi community sources that the recovery of spilled crude into plastic tanks was already ongoing.
A spokesman for SPDC, Mr Michael Adande, earlier said that the oil firm had shut oil feeds into the leaking pipeline.
Adande pledged to update on relief, remediation, and response efforts but had yet to do so.