From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
The Nembe communities at Okpoama and Ikensi in Brass and Nembe Local Government Areas (LGAs) respectively have bemoaned recent oil leaks and subsequent pollution from Oil Mining Lease (OML 29) oilfields.
It was learnt that the oil leak from an underwater pipeline at Ikensi was discovered on Thursday by residents who raised concerns over negative impact of the spill on the environment.
The ongoing underwater crude oil pipeline leakage near Ikensi community, was noticed at about 6.45 am on Thursday and reported to the operator of the oilfield.
Both officials of the oil firm and oil spill regulator confirmed the incident but said that they were working on an official statement to be issued in due course but yet to do so.
OML 29 is operated by Nembe Exploration and Production Ltd formerly Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Limited.
Chief Clarkson Obiakpa, a Chief of Opu Nembe explained that community residents who first detected the leak report that crude oil is actively discharging crude into surrounding waterways with no visible containment or emergency response deployed at the time of reporting, raising immediate fears of widespread ecological contamination and threats to fishing-based livelihoods.
“The spill was discovered early on Thursday morning around 6:45 am. Crude oil is still flowing into our waterways. No response team has arrived.
“Our rivers, fishing grounds, and drinking sources are already being affected. We are deeply concerned about our survival and livelihood.” Obiakpa said.
He recalled that this latest incident comes shortly after a marine vessel spill on the Atlantic coastline, affecting Okpoama, Diema and Twon-Brass in the neighbouring Brass LGA, where large volumes of crude oil reportedly escaped into surrounding waterways during a transshipment operation between a vessel and a tanker.
According to Chief Edwin Otiete-Goli, a community leader: “This spill has devastated our waters and our means of livelihood. Our fishing grounds are polluted, and our ecosystem is under serious threat. We call for immediate accountability, full remediation, and justice for our people who depend entirely on these waters for survival.”
Aiteo acquired the OML 29 field and the 97 kilometer Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) for $ 2.4 billion in 2015 following divestment by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)
The operator of the OML 29 oil block discarded the NCTL which hitherto evacuated crude to the Bonny Export Terminal due to oil theft and vandalism and resorted to use of barged and small vessels to translated oil to a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) for export.
This development, an interim operational plan pending linking the oil wells via pipelines to the FPSO has been fraught with frequent operational leaks from transloading of crude to the FPSO
When contacted for a response, on Thursday evening, a Public Affairs Official at the oil firm, Nembe E & P said the company was working on a statement.
“An official statement will be sent soon,” he said.
