Some communities in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have been sacked following a gas explosion in the area.
It was gathered that the explosion occurred from the Nembe Creek Trunk Line operated by the Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company.
The incident reportedly caused panic among indigenes of seven communities of Nembe.
Foreign news agencies reported a chief in Nembe kingdom in Bayelsa State, said up to 50 people were feared missing on account of the explosion.
But Aiteo Exploration Ltd, operator of the 97 kilometre Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL), said yesterday that there was no loss of life in the explosion on the crude export pipeline.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) even said it had no record of pipeline explosion in the area as being reported in some quarters.
Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja that he had “cross-checked with our downstream unit that manages our pipeline and they said that they didn’t have such records.”
Hit by the gas explosion were Nembe creeks 1, 2 and 3, Jalungo, Fatuo and Kalablomi.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 4am near Oil Well 7 on Friday.
A source said the trunk line had been shut for emergency repairs following the detection of oil leakage.
A native who gave his name as Patrick said many residents fled the communities because of the pollution caused by the explosion.
The Spokesman of the Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Nengi James–Eriworio, confirmed the development describing it as “massive destruction of the area with air and water heavily polluted.”
He said: “People have deserted the area and the company has refused to respond despite series of emergency calls.
“The fire is still raging. The incident is uncalled for and questionable. The people are afraid. Women and children are missing.”
He called on the oil exploration company to be mindful of welfare of indigenes.
He said following the incident, some persons were reported missing adding that after the tension was doused, some of the missing persons resurfaced.
The chief further added that crude oil took over the waterways in the communities after the incident.
He added: “This is large scale explosion. We are calling on the Federal Government agencies to investigate and respond to salvage the people. The incident has caused air and water pollution. “We are concerned about the poor attitude of the company towards the host communities in Nembe.”
Aiteo confirms no life lost in Nembe Creek oil pipeline explosion
However, Aiteo Exploration Ltd, operator of the 97 kilometre Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL), dismissed suggestions of loss of lives in the explosion.
Aiteo officials said that the fire from the explosion, which burned till yesterday, had been put out.
The NCTL situation, with a capacity of conveying 150,000 barrels of crude daily to the Bonny oil export terminal, will adversely affect crude export, having been put out of use.
A Public Relations Manager of Aiteo, Mr Ndiana-Abasi Mathew, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a phone message.
He said: “There is no official statement at the moment but I can gladly inform you that the fire has been contained and no lives were lost.”
No record of pipeline explosion in Nembe – NNPC
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it had no record of pipeline explosion in Nembe.
Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation said: “It is not our pipeline; it is Aiteo that was mentioned, which ordinarily they are supposed to be on joint venture with NNPC.
“I have cross-checked with our downstream unit that manages our pipeline and they said that they didn’t have such records.”
At least one person was killed and many others injured at the weekend when community members broke into an office complex belonging to the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) in Kaiama, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
The shocking invasion and raid were reportedly carried out by residents of Orubiri, a host community of the amnesty yard located in Boro Town, which was named after the late Ijaw hero, Isaac Adaka Boro.
One of the invaders said to have asthmatic condition was reportedly choked to death in one of the warehouses while a baby brought into the complex by a woman was said to have died in the ensuing stampede.
The Amnesty Office built the expansive yard comprising many blocks of storey buildings to act as a liaison office for coordination of amnesty issues in the Niger Delta region, including storage and distribution of starter packs to beneficiaries.
But investigations revealed members of the host community, numbering over 1,000, invaded the complex, broke into all the offices and looted equipment and starter packs worth billions of naira.
The invaders were said to have overpowered a few army operatives stationed at the entrance, pushed down the gate and engaged in free-for-all stealing of items.
Efforts of the security operatives to stop them by shooting in the air were said to have proved abortive because of the high number of the invaders.
It was gathered that youths and women participated in the looting and ensured that equipment bought for persons trained for different skills was carted away.
The marauders were said to have stolen everything including installed air-conditioners, furniture and fittings and attempted to remove electric wires.
An employee of the amnesty office, who spoke in confidence, said the looting started early Tuesday morning last week adding that the equipment carted away was meant for beneficiaries from impacted communities in other states.
He said the Coordinator of PAP, Prof. Charles Dokubo, inaugurated the distribution of the items in Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Warri, Delta State and Orubiri, the host community in Bayelsa.
He said following the inauguration, about 500 beneficiaries of the host communities got their items without crisis.
“But we were surprised that the next day youths and women from the same host communities numbering over 1000 assembled at the entrance of the complex and demanded their share of the items.
“We explained to them that the items were meant for impacted communities in various states. They didn’t listen. They rather insisted that the items must be given to them.
“Most of them started calling people from other communities and before we knew it, the entrance was filled up. The person in charge of the place tried to call for security reinforcement.
“Even when they came, there was nothing the security operatives could do. The people pulled down the gate and started looting the items in the warehouses. They engaged in the looting overnight till the next morning,” he said.
The source added that Dokubo visited the place and expressed anger at the destruction of the complex, wondering why the host community would engage in damaging properties under their care.
The source said: “When the coordinator left, the people still besieged the complex. It was worse that night.
“Some of us were forced to flee because our lives were under threat. Some of the employees who could not escape were attacked.
“The people stole all the properties of our employees and even removed trousers from their waists. They broke into the administrative blocks and removed all the items there.
“They removed air-conditioners including toilet seaters. They are still looting. They are even trying to steal cables in the ground”.
The source said the office had video recordings of the invasion describing the area as security risk and called on law enforcement agencies to stop what he described as madness.
He added that an official report of the incident had been sent to the amnesty office in Abuja saying the office would take a final decision on the matter.
Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State has gradually become synonymous with oil spills and related incidences. The council, which is a major host to oil installations operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), has large portion of its environment polluted by oil slicks.
•Fishing water course devastated due to the spill
The frequency of oil spills in the council has no doubt affected negatively the image of NAOC and raised questions on double standard modus operandi of oil companies operating in Nigeria. Recently, an oil spill site belonging to Agip in Azuzuama, Southern Ijaw, exploded into an inferno and consumed over 12 lives who were there for a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV).
Though Governor Seriake Dickson barked and ordered a forensic investigation to determine the cause of explosion, there are no signs that real probe in that spirit, which the governor initially reacted, is ongoing. The victims may have also died in vain.
As the state is mourning the tragedy, another leakage of crude oil has been reported in Agip’s Ossiama-Ogboinbiri and Ogboinbiri-Tebidaba pipelines. The pipeline traverses Keme-ebiama,Okpotuwari and Ondewari community environment in the council. The pipelines have recently become notorious for oil spills and most of the spills are said to be caused by equipment failure. It seems the company’s pipelines have collapsed and due for change.
•Booms found in the environment when ERA first visited
The Environmental Right Action (ERA) in its latest report signed by its State Officer, Mr. Alagoa Moris, commented on the pipelines. It said: “The crux of the matter here is the increasing number of oil spills along this pipeline; even though the pipeline Right Of Way contains three different oil bearing pipelines.
“And, while some of the spills were officially attributed to equipment failure incidents; others were reported as third party interference cases. The Environmental Rights Action have investigated and reported quite a good number of spills along this pipeline”.
Recently, a spot on the pipeline was reported to be bubbling seriously with a spill. Describing the seriousness of the spill, ERA’s report said: “It was surprising to see the spot the crude oil finally came out with fury; bubbling and with the characteristic rising and falling movement of a boiling pot, accompanied by a familiar sound”.
But the Project Officer, Ondewari Health, Education and Environment Projects, Mr. Tontiemote Yeiyei, confirmed that the seriousness of the spill forced Agip to return to site. He said the company’s representatives were accompanied to the site by delegates from Ondewari, Okpotuwari and Keme-Ebiama.
He said: “They excavated the spot where crude oil was still coming out from the ground. Incidentally; that spot was only the soft spot where the crude oil found its way to the surface; the main ruptured spot on the body of the oil bearing pipe was a little bit away from where the crude oil was gushing out on the ground.
“Everyone present saw that, even though the Aqua-rap was still on the body of the pipe, the crude oil was escaping from the pipe. The Agip technicians tore open the Aqua-rap before the main ruptured spot was properly identified”.
He said apart from an official whom Agip representatives claimed was from the National Oil Spill Detection Regulatory Agency (NOSDRA), no representatives of other regulatory agencies like the ministry of environment followed Agip to the spill site.
He added: “Even though it was obvious that the cause of spill was equipment failure; we demanded to hear from the Agip representatives. Unfortunately they failed to be categorical about that information; they only told us that they will go and examine the photos they took of the ruptured spot and it is the outcome laboratory analysis which would say whether the spill was as a result of equipment failure or third party interference.
“They then promised returning to site the next day, being Wednesday. And, although no documents were signed and we were not comfortable with their statement of going to do laboratory analysis before telling us cause of spill; because we were confident of what we saw; we took it as they said; with the hope of carrying out a proper JIV and repairs on Wednesday’’.
Another mysterious fire
Agip promised to return on Wednesday, July 22. But before they could make good their promise, a consuming fire descended on the spill site. Environmental experts are becoming curious over incessant fire outbreaks in spill sites belonging to Agip. On Wednesday morning, residents of the communities reported a thick smoke emanating from the impacted environment.
Youths of the three communities were said to have tried to put out the fire. It was gathered that two persons one each from Ondewari and Okpotuwari were arrested by the Oil and Gas Task Force operating in the local government area and were taken to Yenagoa, the state capital for further investigation and interrogation. Following the fire incident, Agip suspended the agreed visit.
Crude oil spreads
Despite the fire, communities linked to Ogboinbiri River woke up to see crude oil all over their environment. Gbarain community downstream the river was the first to raise the alarm. A resident, Boro Jonah said: “As I speak with you our river is covered with crude oil and we are really surprised; as we don’t know where this oil slick is coming from”.
Also, the Keme-Ebiama community along the same river confirmed that the spill has spread to its environment. The Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) of Keme-Ebiama, Mr. Columbus John-Bull said: ‘’The River right in front of our community has been covered with crude oil. We have no doubt that it is spreading from the spill point in our community environment.
“Already, it has impacted our swamp, ponds and lake in the bush and now; it has spread to the river. As bad as the scenario is, we are trying to see how we can also capture the incident by taking photos and video shots’’.
On July 25th, representatives of NAOC returned to the spill point for repairs. They were reportedly escorted to the area by four armed security operatives. But there Walsh a problem. A serious disagreement ensued between the communities and the firm’s delegates.
The communities questioned the modalities adopted by the firm to chantry out the JIV and repairs of the ruptured spot. They complained that there was no sign of a JIV team and JIV forms. Besides, the three communities demanded N400,000 each from Agip for bush entry.
The CDC Chairman of Ondewari community, Mr. Charles Igoniwari, accused the company of not doing the right thing.
He said: “What we are demanding is that, before going ahead with the repairs we need to experience the normal JIV process. Incidentally Agip is not here with the JIV forms and, how do they expect us to conclude and leave this site without filling and signing the JIV report which we ought to sign here at the site?
“We want to ensure the essential details about the spill incident are documented before anything else. That is the demand and stance of the three communities. And, rather than complying with the just demand, Agip is now adopting the method of passing through the state government to intimidate us.
“They thought we are ignorant of what the procedures are that is why they want to intimidate us but we won’t succumb to the pressure; they should rather do the right thing’’.
On the demand for money before the JIV and repairs, he said: “Yes, we were demanding that money as part of the bush entry, site fee that even Agip cannot say our demand is out of place. Although the amounts may vary, Agip normally pay in other places too when community persons assist them during such visits to site when spills occur.
“That demand has nothing to do with our main demand. Our main demand is that Agip should follow ‘due process’. We want the JIV carried out before going ahead with repairs.
“They are not here with the JIV forms for us to fill. The regulators are not even here. Ours shouldn’t be different, we want to see the JIV form filled and signed here at the spill site. That is our main demand”.
But on July 26, Agip was said to have returned to the site, a situation that triggered just another round of disagreements between the firm and the communities.
Yeiyei, who was among the representatives of Ondewari community at the site, confirmed the fresh dispute. He said: “There was disagreement between the communities and Agip on the volume of spilled crude oil. And, none of the Regulatory Agencies was represented at the site.
“We were made to understand that the State Ministry of Environment and NOSDRA were not with us at the site because of the recent explosion which led to the death of their staff at Azuzuama.
“Agip estimated the spilled crude oil to 80 barrels only and the communities rejected that estimate because how they came up with the estimate was unclear. Besides, we witnessed the volume of crude oil spewing from the spill site even before Agip came for confirmation and, even after confirmation; the spill continued.
“Based on our experience we thought the volume was far more than Agip’s estimated volume. The disagreement resulted into a heated argument and, Agip wanted to resort to the use of force because they came with armed military men. However, at the end of the day, we agreed for the volume spilled to be 100 barrels.
“And, while those who ought to sign from each of the communities and Agip signed their columns; the spaces meant for the regulators remained blank. For that reason, the signed JIV forms were not released to the communities; as Agip promised to take the forms to the regulators to sign before letting communities have their copies. That was how the matter ended’’.
ERA’s observations
ERA in its report insists that the volume of oil it observed spewing into the environment was very high. the volume of crude oil being spewed into the environment was very high. It said from when it got the information to when it visited the site, there was over 14 hours of continuous leakage.
Part of the report said: “The combined initial pressure, volume and time before the pressure was reduced was responsible for the heavy volume of crude oil spewed into the environment and, its eventual spread; aided by the terrain and already rising flood levels in the environment.
“The connecting swamps and rivulets facilitated the spread of the crude oil into the one-way flowing Ogboinbiri River from Keme-Ebiama axis and downstream it continued. This should explain the experience of the Gbarian people; about their river being flooded by crude oil from unknown source.
“When ERA visited first, the presence of booms in the environment confirmed Agip’s earlier visit; even though the actual spill point was yet to be discovered then.
“The burning of spill site is regrettable and, this has been part of the reason why community leaders have often urged their youths to mount security at spill impacted sites until JIVs are concluded.
“ERA was reliably informed too that, suggestion was made by community representatives that the spill site be guarded. This was made during Agip’s visit to the site on 21st July, 2015. But, the idea was discouraged by Agip representatives, may be due to financial implications such security services may attract”.
The report added: “The alleged attempt by the state government to encourage the distortion of the JIV process is unacceptable. Such efforts, if true; is against the government’s public pronouncements; of protecting the communities and our fragile environment to ensure sustainable development.
“Government cannot be absolved from the sailing mutual distrust between oil companies and communities; without taking sides government should apportion blame whether it is due communities or oil companies. The State Government should rather initiate positive steps to gain the confidence of our communities negatively impacted by the oil industry activities around them.
“While no spill is a good spill, it is more in the interest of government to support the communities where such equipment failure spills occur. The people of Keme-Ebiama, Okpotuwari and Ondewari in this instance deserves sympathy and encouragement; not intimidation through the paraphernalia of public office”.
ERA, therefore, demanded that Agip should respect the due process expected of a JIV process in the current incident. It asked the communities to sign the JIV report and demand their copies.
It asked community leaders and representatives to be properly informed about what is obtainable from any process or activities between their community and oil companies to avoid making unrealistic demands.
“ERA is aware of the fact that oil companies not specific to Agip alone do engage the services of community youths during repairs at spill sites. How much exchanges hands for such transactions is what ERA cannot say because the facts are not readily available.
“Agip should promptly follow-up repairs with clean-up, relief materials and compensation; with the same interest the company has shown in getting the spill point repaired with a view to put on the line for production purposes”, the report said.
It is most unfortunate that this special incident was fraught with several twists. The signing of JIV reports at the site leading to the conclusion of repairs poses questions.
ERA’s posers
ERA in the report raised some posers. The report said: “First of all, can the JIV forms signed at the site on Sunday [26th July, 2015] really represent a JIV report even when the regulators were not at the site to make independent observations?
“Secondly, has it been the practice for Regulators [NOSDRA, DPR, SMoE] to sign JIV reports in which they didn’t have firsthand experience of total impacted area, volume of spill and spread?
“What about other communities like Gbaruan and Lobia that have complained about the spread of Crude oil into their environment? Would it not require another JIV to get the proper thing done? This is because for ERA the spilled volume was more than 500 barrels based on what ERA captured on video clips during ERA’s visit on 16th July, 2015 and when Agip actually shut down the line.
“Even after shutting down, crude oil continued to spew into the environment; it didn’t stop automatically because the flow line was shut down, the residual pressure would continue to cause the spill for sometime.”
The impacted communities are waiting for Agip to respond to the posers.
The people of Koluama II and Igbomotoru 1 in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, will forever remain grateful to the Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe-led Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield. The commander has deployed carrot-and-stick approach to tackle oil theft.
Igbomotoru will never speak ill of JTF. Maj. Gen. Atewe has been kind to the community, initially known as the hotbed of oil-related crimes in the state. He has visited the community three times within a year. Each time he visited, the JTF commander would solve a pressing social and economic problem in the community.
In his first visit, Maj. Gen. Atewe was only there for a sensitisation campaign as part of JTF’s efforts to stop economic sabotage. But the people then complained that their source of drinking water had been polluted. They demanded potable water from the JTF and the commander gladly promised to provide water for them.
The task force fulfilled its promise without delay. The commander returned to the community and inaugurated boreholes which have become the people’s only source of water. While he was commissioning the borehole, the commander discovered that the Baptist Day Primary School in the community had no roofs. The roofs were blown off by rainstorm 11 years ago and the building had remained like that since then. He immediately promised to fix the roofs and renovate the buildings.
So, in his third coming, the JTF landed at the jetty in a convoy of four gunboats. It was a carnival-like occasion as the people trooped out en masse to give the army chief a rousing reception. To the people of Igbomotoru, Maj. Gen. tewe and his JTF is the only government they can identify with. He has shown them much love and concern.
The people were glad and they expressed it. The JTF boss has done what their representatives in all levels of government could not do. The pupils of the renovated school could not hide their affection for the military officer. They came out bearing placards and singing songs to celebrate the day.
“Commander Sir, you are God-sent, you are our savior”, “Maj. Gen. E.J Atewe, the sky should be your limit, you are welcome”, were some of the messages on the placards. It was indeed, a heroic welcome.
Men and women whom the JTF donated fishing nets and sewing machine to were seen flocking around Atewe in appreciation. Others tabled more requests for empowerment before the JTF boss.
Atewe did not just renovate the school buildings, he also furnished them 400 desks for the pupils who hitherto sat on bare floor for tutorial. The school now looks beautiful beaming in green aluminum zinc and paintings.
The Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Mr. Godspower Okosufa, poured encomiums on Atewe.
He said: “Our dynamic and amiable JTF Commander of the Niger Delta, we welcome you to our great communities for the third time. Your first step to our kingdom was based on oil theft and illegal bunkering. We identify your coming as God-sent to eradicate pains and problems that we are encountering in our communities.
“Four about 16 years ago, we have not experienced development till the days of this God-sent, helper and the comforter, who has changed Igbomotoru. You sent medical team to solve our health problems both present and future, sank borehole for the students and the entire community.
“You identified with some poor women by buying sewing machines and fishing nets for them. You purchased football kits for youth empowerment and also prepared school chairs for your renovated primary school building.
“You have comforted the pupils with conducive environment for studies. The primary school had been dilapidated by rain storm for about twelve years ago. Pupils have been using ordinary floor as desks and chairs”.
In fact, the community insisted on conferring on Maj. Gen. Atewe a chieftaincy title, “the Ibemiewei of West Bomo Kingdom”, saying he had “done what Napoleon could not do”. The community also called on the JTF Commander to prevail on Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to reactivate the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it reached with them as a host community.
The Head Teacher of the renovated school, Mrs. Apa Clement showered praises on the commander.
She said: “This community has suffered a lot of setbacks, due to lack of infrastructure and power. You are God-sent, if only we have just one person like you, this community would have grown in geometric progression.”
The highpoint of the event was a novelty football match between Igbomoloru I and II in honour of Maj. Gen. Atewe who provided both football teams with complete jersey and boots.
JTF did not stop at Igbomotoru. The outfit headed for Koluama II community. Atewe is aware of the economic hardship confronting the people of the community especially after the 2012 Chevron blowout. The community lacks basic amenities including drinkable water. Therefore, in his carrot-and-stick approach of tacking oil theft, the JTF commander decided to provide the most essential needs of the community which could force its people to engage in illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping and piracy.
Undoubtedly, the people heaved a sigh of relief after Atewe and members of his team inaugurated boreholes to give them a source of potable water. The residents jubilated and danced in appreciation.
Maj. Gen. Atewe told the crowd the reasons for JTF’s interventions. He said: “You may not know why Koluama became very close to the JTF. It has to do with the problem Koluama had with Chevron where the youths went and occupy the oil and gas platform because of none response from Chevron, and the challenge that has to do with the platform that got blown-off some time ago.
“It was indeed a big problem that would have led to the damage of the Chevron platform but we invited both Chevron and Koluama community and held meetings more than five times.
“One thing I discovered during, the meeting is that the Koluama people are very peace loving, they co-operated with us in ensuring that peace was maintained between Chevron and the community.
“In our own token way of saying thank you for the understanding and your support in our fight against illegal oil bunkering, we decided to erect this borehole as a mark of our love for your support.”
The project was commissioned by the Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Bayelsa Central District, Mr. Alamene Williams. He described the gesture as unprecedented.
There is no end in sight to the problems between the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its host communities in the Niger Delta region. In fact, the length of Shell pipelines criss-crossing the region defines the complications of issues and widespread human relationship breakdown confronting the company.
For instance, communities in Bayelsa State are always at daggers’ drawn with Shell over oil spill-related matters. Ikarama a community in Okordia clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area, is always in the news for oil spills. The environment has since decayed from spills caused mostly by sabotage.
Recently, the communities around Kolo Creek Manifold operated by Shell in Ogbia Local Government Area, cried foul over massive spillage of oil into their environment. The spill was first reported on April 15.
Some residents lamented that the Kolo creek oil field owned by SPDC has been discharging crude into the environment. A resident of Imiringi community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Mr. Anthony Okputu, said the spill had devastated farmland and vegetation in the area.
Okputu said: “We do not know exactly when the oil leak started but we saw crude leaking from the pipeline into the road and when we got there soldiers had already cordoned off the whole area.
“They did not allow us to get near to find out the possible cause of the leak on the pipeline. We woke up this early morning to see this in our community.
“I believe that the soldiers must have reported the incident so that they can shut down the pipeline crude feed to forestall further damage to the environment, but oil is still gushing out of the line”.
The communities sustained their momentum of cries. They accused Shell of not responding quickly to their plight and called on the state government to compel the company to come to their aide.
They called for a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to unravel the cause of the spill. They had initially thought that the oil leak was caused by the company’s equipment failure. They were indeed looking forward to indicting Shell.
Following their outcries, officials of the Bayelsa State Government led by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Iniruo Wills, visited the spill site. The officials including Wills assessed the site and lamented increasing incidences of oil and gas spills from platforms operated by multinational oil companies in the state.
The therefore, therefore, threatened that henceforth multinational companies will not escape punishment for any oil and gas spills within the state.
He said: “Whatever the cause of the spill, whether it is caused by sabotage or equipment failure, we will have to carefully think of the next thing to do.
“There has to be consequences. Even if it is (caused by) sabotage, that does not mean that everyone concerned is free from consequences because, clearly, there is a pattern. Almost on a daily basis, there is one oil spill or the other in Bayelsa State.”
The commissioner insisted that the government and the people of the state would no longer tolerate incessant pollution of their environment.
He said: “This is yet another demonstration of how oil and gas production in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta and Bayelsa State where we are right now, is done.
“This is how it threatens our environment, how it is a danger to our people, to our communities, life, public health and even to economic activities
“You can see in the backdrop across the road, you can see vegetation, you can see economic crops all over the place, you can see how crude oil splashed all over them.
“If proper precaution is not taken in terms of protecting or even clearing the affected area, you can imagine how affected the food chain and economic cycle proceeding from there, the hazard involved. This will end up affecting people’s dinning tables”, Wills added.
Who caused the spill?
Though the communities and even the government seemed to have pointed accusing fingers at Shell, emerging facts have shown that equipment failure was not the cause of the spill. The JIV report showed that unknown persons sabotaged the manifold.
The JIV comprises officials of operating oil firms, Ministry of Environment, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and representatives of impacted communities.
Shell’s spokesperson Mr. Joseph Obari said a report of the JIV revealed that unknown persons cut out a section of the metal protection to the manifold. Obari said the saboteurs, according to the report, removed components of the pressure control system and opened the isolation valves, resulting in a spill.
He said the volume of spilled oil was estimated at 27 barrels, affecting mainly the manifold grounds and part of the surrounding vegetation.
He said: “SPDC stopped the leak soon after it occurred, deployed effective containment and began the recovery of oil.
“No chemical dispersant has been applied. The containment and oil recovery activities involved the use of booms, absorbent pads and vacuum truck for evacuation of recovered oil.
“Oil spill response activities are continuing while remediation will commence after initial clean-up has been done.”
Obari further said that leak and fire were reported on the Kolo Creek–Rumuekpe trunk line, about 5kms from the manifold, on Monday.
“The fire has been extinguished; site observation confirmed a recently excavated ditch at the fire point.
“SPDC has expressed concern at the brazen damage of its facilities in parts of the Delta. It commended the Bayelsa State Government for its support and called on communities and other stakeholders to join hands in the efforts to discourage the trend”.
Many believe it is high time communities in the Niger Delta, especially Bayelsa, stopped sabotaging oil facilities especially knowing its implications on the environment. It is foolhardy for locals to destroy the environment where they live and derive their livelihoods and then turn around to blame oil companies.
Communities near Kolo Creek Manifold, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), are waiting for the oil company to begin the clean-up of an oil spill in their environment.
It was gathered that the oil firm had not determined the volume of the crude that spilled into the environment.
The leak, it was gathered, was first reported on April 15.
But the company said it had clamped the compromised section of the manifold to stop the leakage.
A Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) conducted by officials of SPDC, the Ministry of Environment, community representatives and oil industry regulators on April 16, concluded that the spill was caused by sabotage.
A statement by SPDC’s spokesman Joseph Obari said the leak was detected on April 15.
A community representative, who participated in the JIV and spoke in confidence, said the community felt the sabotage was due to negligence by SPDC’s surveillance workers.
“We are not accepting the theory of a sabotage. That facility is a restricted area and is well fortified. We believe it is the responsibility of Shell to protect its facility. But if it is negligent on this, it should be held liable.
“Sabotage has to be defined; it cannot be used loosely to cover up the negligence of the oil firm. We do believe it is negligence and not sabotage.
“The spill had wreaked havoc and destroyed farmlands and plantain plantations. We must resolve who bears the responsibility for all these before the clean-up can start,” the source said.
Stephen Ziworitin, a 13-year-old indigene of Keme-Ebiama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, was disappointed recently when he went to the river in his area to take his bath in the morning.
He could not believe his eyes. The river did not just change in its outlook, it emitted offensive odour. In fact, he could no longer differentiate between the water and crude oil.
He said: “I decided to go and take my bath at the waterside and return to my bed. But when I got to the waterside, I noticed a strange smell and later, the crude oil on the river. I moved away from the first spot to another side and, it was still the same there too.
“Left with no option, I had to strive to part the crude oil and when the water appeared in the middle; I quickly fetched some water and took home to bathe. That was how I managed to bathe that day.
“Even as at that, my body was shining, oily. It is difficult for us to get water to bathe before going to school these days. Even with the school bell ringing we stand just looking at the water, no way to bathe before going to school. Our problem is not limited to only bathing, even to wash our dirty school uniform is a problem”.
In fact, all is not well between the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its Keme-Ebiama and other host communities in Ogboinbiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
The bone of contention is an oil spill described by community sources as major and devastating. The spill is reported to have sent heavy volume of crude oil to the entire river located in the area. The river is polluted.
The spill, which flows from Shell’s Seibou Deep facility has impacted many downstream communities . The spills are circulated faster by water current. Communities said to have been impacted are Keme-Ebiama, Apoi, Kokologbene, Gbaruan, Ukubie, Lobia and others.
A report from the Environmental Right Action (ERA) signed by its Field Officer, Mr. Alagoa Morris, said that Shell has three wellheads at the end of a canal constructed by the company some years ago. The canal which links the Ogboinbiri River is located by the Ogboinbiri community.
ERA explains the devastating effects of spills that occur in bodies of water. The report said: “It is a well known fact that there is one major characteristic difference between spills that occur on bodies of water and those that happen on land. This is even more true when the body of water is flowing.
“The difference lies in the fact that oil spills on moving bodies of water spread and flow along with whichever direction the current is headed. This also happens when the spill on lands spreads and gets into any moving body of water.
“One of the reason spills spread easily on water is that, apart from the influence from the current, there are no topography issues when it comes to water in most cases.
“Unlike land where the spread would be influence by topography; it spreads very easily on water. And, unless steps are taken promptly to contain the spill, the spill could travel as far as the water current carries it.”
But the communities are worried that the expected swift attention has yet to be given to the disaster by the company. The Chairman of the Keme-Ebiama Community Development Committee (CDC), Columbus John-Bull confirmed that the spill occurred at Seibou 2 facility of Shell at Ogboinbiri.
e said the spill spread to affect the rivers right from the Ogboinbiri axis to other rivers in the area. “The volume of crude oil was really heavy. It covered the whole of our river.
“It was so devastating that our people could no longer go to the river and take their bath or fetch drinking water; the river is our main source of drinking and every other domestic use. Due to the heavy pollution and resultant scarcity of drinking water, the cost of water sachet in the community rose from N10.00 to N30.00.
“And, most of our people cannot afford the sachet water at that price. We are very much worried of what the situation might lead to considering the recent outbreak of cholera in some communities in the local government area”, he said.
He appealed to the company to immediately clean-up the river and its banks properly. He urged Shell to send relief materials including water and drugs and pay adequate compensation for the pollution, damage and inconveniences suffered by the community.
He said: “This call has become necessary because we have suffered this sort of thing other times from Shell and Agip and they have continued to ignore our cries; with no feelings whatsoever for us as if we are not human beings. They would always say that the spill was caused by third party and so, there is nothing they can do.
“But we are far away from whatever source the so-called third-party spill comes from. How can we continue to suffer from what we know nothing about like that? Those who benefit from those past spills we suffered were people from different places, strangers who got the contracts for clean-up and other related matters.
“We that are directly impacted are always left just like that; to suffer from the negative impacts only. We are tired of this inhuman treatment and, we want Shell to do those things I mentioned earlier: Clean-up, send Relief materials and compensate the community adequately”.
A leader from the community, Chief Barack Ogiere further confirmed the incident. He said: “Very early in the morning when we went down to the waterside, we observed that crude oil has visited us again; covering the whole surface of the water.
“It was devastating because we couldn’t take our bath again in the river, no way to fetch and drink the water from the river; we could no longer do anything with the river we depend on. And we don’t even have any wells or borehole here, the river has been our only source of water.
“Neither the oil companies nor the government has considered implementing any projects here for us. I haven’t had my bathe throughout today. Since the spill is traced to Shell’s facility at Ogboinbiri; the company should come and clean-up our environment to the original state God gave to us, because we solely depend on this river for every of our water needs.
“We even need relief materials right now before clean-up. Besides they should pay compensation for the severity of this heavy volume of crude oil spill that has just impacted us. The suffering is continuing, children are sick in the community.”
A woman, Mrs. Peretei Francis, said the river was highly polluted. She said they were managing the water before but later discovered they could no longer use it.
She said: “The current reality is that we cannot make use of the water again; it is polluted. When we fetch it to the house and drink, the children begin to fall sick. In the light of the above, Shell should come and clean-up the river for us without delays.
“They should come and repair what has been damaged by the crude oil. The fishes have also no more around since this spill spread to this environment; we no longer kill fish. All the fish nets we set around the river have been impacted, soaked by crude oil and so; they can no longer catch fish.
“So, they should come and repair the river for us. After that, they should give us borehole as an alternative source of water. Shell should also send us relief materials: food including fish, because there is no more fish around, drugs and water.
“We are hungry and presently most of the children are suffering from stomach ache. So they should quickly come and clean the impacted river for us. I also have a message for the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), please tell NAOC that they should stop turning the river into refuse dump. All the wastes they dump in the river are being transferred to us downstream and we are not happy with the act”.
In its observation, ERA, said booms used by Shell to contain the spills had failed. It said the community people were obviously worried about the situation.
•The signs of the pollution on the way from Ogboinbiri to Keme-Ebiama
“Crude oil slick was observed right from Ogboinbiri till the field monitors got to Keme-Ebiama. The Water Hyacinths floating on the river and by the sides of the river were soaked in crude oil and were wilting.
“Although the people said due to the one-way flowing current the volume of crude oil has reduced; much was still observed within the immediate environment of the community”, it said.
ERA further knocked Shell for not conducting Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) two months after the spill. “This is very strange and unacceptable. Shell cannot leave crude oil in the open and on the canal where fisher folks and farmers also access”, it said.
ERA demanded that Shell should mobilize to ensure that JIV is done concerning the spill. It called on the relevant agencies of government and security agencies to take appropriate measures to ensure Shell does the right thing and promptly too.
“Shell should send relief materials, food stuff, water, medical team and drugs to take care of the concerns and needs of the impacted communities.
“Shell should not only take full responsibility of the spreading crude oil spilt from the company’s facility; Shell should also carry out adequate clean-up of the impacted rivers/creeks and surrounding environment.
“Shell should compensate victims of the spreading crude oil. Payment should take into consideration individual and general damages”, the report said.
The state government is also very unhappy with Shell’s handling of the incident. The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Iniruo Wills, said the government was taking the massive pollution seriously. Wills said the government had sent a letter to Shell emphasizing the importance of immediately cleaning the impacted site.
He also said that the management of Shell was invited to a meeting to discuss the development on Tuesday. But he regretted that the company did not show up.
He said: “We are taking it seriously. We have written to ask them to ensure quick clean-up and containment of the area with the full involvement of the State Ministry of Environment and National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency (NOSDRA).
“We also invited them for a meeting but they didn’t show up. So,we will proceed with some of the steps we have in mind to unfold.”
The Spokesman of SPDC, Mr Joseph Obari, said at the weekend that the firm was yet to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit on the spill site.
