Fear has gripped residents of Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State, as a gas pipeline on Kolo-Otuoke-Bayelsa-Palm Road is leaking.
It was learnt that the compromise of the pipeline reportedly operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) was allegedly caused by sabotage.
Speaking about the incident, the Head of Field Operations, Niger Delta Resources Centre of Environmental Right Action and Friend of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Alagoa Morris, said that was the second time incident like that occurred on the site.
Morris, who visited the scene of the incident, said: “It is not strange for people like us who are always on the field. Issues such as this happen every now and then, especially spilling of oil and gas. It has been a recurring incident on the state and Niger Delta.
“Concerning this current incident, there are signs that it was man-made because some equipment were connected to the point of the incident. It means there must have been a detonated explosive. This also speaks volumes in terms of security of the pipeline.
“There are giant anthills on the Agip’s pipeline, which can also help the people to sabotage the system, even in the afternoon, to burst the pipeline because it will serve as a cover for the perpetrators.
“We have another oil firm’s pipeline on the other side and Agip’s own is there. Both are running on the same line. This means there should be visibility so that people passing by will see intruders either in the day or at night. This can also send signal that something is happening here.
“This is raw gas coming out of the geological formation. From the formation, we have water, oil and gas from several wells being channelled to wherever they are channelling them to, which makes it more dangerous than gas flares in terms of impact on health and ecology.
“In Kalaba, Yenagoa Local Government, a woman was badly burnt due to leakage of gas, as she went to her farm with live charcoal. She suffered greatly and this can even result in fire if urgent step is not taken.”
He said the industry regulator, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), had visited the site, hoping that other relevant agencies such as the Ministry of the Environment that had also visited the place would put a demarcation as to where residents should not go as a result of the danger the leak portended.
Morris said: “In essence, what we are saying is that there should be enough security officials guarding the pipeline. This is why the recent contract given to some Niger Delta indigenes is very important.
“They should swing into action to ensure that not only the pipelines are protected, but that the perpetrators should also be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.”
Some residents expressed fears about the incident, urging the authorities to ameliorate their problems.
Commissioner for the Environment Mr. Isekemo Gbaranbiri could not be reached, as he was said to be in the House of Assembly to defend his ministry’s budget.