An oil leakage from Seibou Deep Facility operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has been discharging crude into Ogboinbiri River at Southern Ijaw Council Area, Bayelsa.
Residents in the coastal settlements in Ogboinbiri and neigbouring communities say the oil leak had damaged the fishing activities of the people.
Some residents who depend on the river for drinking and domestic use say the leak had continued unabated for over a month, compelling them to resort to sachet water.
When journalists visited the site, the surface of the river was covered by crude deposits flowing down the waterways. Keme-Ebiama, Apoi, Kokologbene, Gbaruan, Ukubie, Lobia communities were the worst hit.
It was gathered that several communities along Ogboinbiri River bank have also been affected, with the water current aiding the dispersal of the crude oil.
Chief Columbus John-Bull, chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) of Keme-Ebiama community, said the spill had deprived them of their source of water for drinking and domestic use.
“This major spill started a long time ago like a small leak but it has turned into a serious issue at the Seibou 2 facility of Shell in Ogboinbiri. The spill first affected rivers in the Ogboinbiri axis before spreading to other communities; 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. Due to the heavy pollution and resultant scarcity of drinking water, the cost of water sachet in the community rose from N10 to N30.
“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,” John-Bull said.
The community leader therefore urged the management of SPDC to take responsibility for the incident and dispatch relief materials and medical team to forestall breakout of epidemic in the area.
He also urged the oil firm to compensate communities and individuals impacted by the oil leak for the losses they incurred as a result of the incident.
Mr. Iniruo Wills, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, confirmed the development when contacted and said plans were underway to respond to the challenges faced by the coastal communities.
Wills explained that Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment had summoned officials of the oil firm to a meeting on March 3, 2015
“We have invited Shell for a meeting on Tuesday to deal with this spill. In the meantime, we are asking all parties to do everything necessary to ensure quick containment and clean up.”
Spokesman of SPDC, Mr. Joseph Obari, said the firm was yet to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit on the spill site. He added that the oil firm was yet to issue a statement on the incident.
