Follow Us on Google
- Communities demand cleanup, compensation
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
There is panic in several fishing communities in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following an oil spill from crude loading operations at Nembe Creek oilfield.
The Nembe Creek oilfield within Oil Mining Lease 29 (OML) is operated by Nembe Exploration & Production Limited, formerly Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Limited.
A field report by Environmental Conservation Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD) stated that it observed crude oil along the creek and mangrove banks.
Its Lead Field Monitor, Chief Alagoa Morris, said the pungent smell of crude oil became noticeable about two kilometres from Nembe Creek during the visit.
ECARD said the spill had spread to several fishing settlements, with residents reporting loss of fishing activities and damage to fishing equipment.
The paramount ruler of Nembe Creek communities, HRH Agent Waya, said the incident had worsened the hardship faced by residents.
Waya said the community reported the spill to naval personnel after Aiteo officials allegedly failed to respond immediately to their concerns.
He said women from the affected communities later protested at the Aiteo facility, demanding relief materials, assessment of damages and compensation.
According to him, the affected communities requested relief materials within three days because residents could no longer engage in fishing.
Waya said the spill reportedly occurred while crude oil was being loaded into a barge, which subsequently tilted and discharged crude into the river.
He listed Mile 1, Mile 2, Mile 3, Roka, Williamkiri, Atonbarakiri, Korukiri and Madam Wanwakiri among the affected communities.
Others, he said, included Ewelesuo, Kpongbokiri, Victorkiri, ‘Abuja’ 1, 2 and 3, Pipeline 1, 2, 3 and 4, Kalakububogo and Etikiri.
The women leader, Mrs Ebi Otokolo, said the pollution had made the river waters unusable for fishing, domestic activities and other livelihood purposes.
She said residents had been forced to remain indoors because of the crude oil odour, while fishermen could no longer access their means of livelihood.
A community woman, Mrs Love Mark, said some fishing nets contaminated by crude oil had become unusable.
Mark said individual fishing nets cost between N150,000 and N170,000, adding that affected residents needed urgent assistance from the operator.
Also, a former youth president of neighbouring Ewelesuo community, Mr Daukoru Benjaka, called for the inclusion of the community and its fishing camps in the Joint Investigation Visit.
Benjaka said the spill had affected fish catches and other aquatic resources, including periwinkles, while threatening the survival of fishing communities.
ECARD said its observations showed substantial crude oil on the water and along mangrove roots, despite residents’ reports that tidal movement had thinned the pollution.
The organisation said rising tides could carry crude oil deeper into the mangrove ecosystem and further affect aquatic organisms, including crabs, oysters and periwinkles.
ECARD said information from the Bayelsa Ministry of Environment and Nembe Oil and Gas Committee indicated that the Joint Investigation Visit had identified operational failure as the cause.
However, it said the volume of crude spilled and the extent of the affected area remained inconclusive as of Aug. 26.
The organisation said the latest incident was part of a history of oil spills associated with operations in OML 29.
