– Community writes NOSDRA
– NOSDRA plans JIV with six oil operators
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Fresh oil spills from a yet to be identified operator has hit Foropa, a fishing settlement along the Atlantic coastline in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, leaving the coastline heavily soaked with crude.
The spills became noticeable on January 3rd, 2024, according to a letter sent to the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA and signed by the traditional ruler of Foropa, Pastor Olabai Olozulu.
The letter addressed to the Head of NOSDRA, Bayelsa Office in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, noted that six oil firms operate within Foropa vicinity in Southern Ijaw.
The companies include First Exploration and Production Company Limited, Conoil Producing Limited, NNPC E&P Limited, Shell Nigeria, and Nigdel United Oil Company.
Olozulu in the petition urged NOSDRA and other regulatory agencies to trace the source of the spill and mitigate its impact on the predominantly fishing settlement.
He also urged the six oil firms operating in the area to mobilise relief materials to reduce the sufferings of the people, as residents of Foropa, who are predominantly fishers, have been rendered jobless following the oil spills.
Meanwhile, Head of NOSDRA, Bayelsa State Office, Mr Chukwuemeka Iheanacho, has confirmed that the agency was in receipt of the report and was planning a joint investigation visit to the impacted site, with all the oil companies operating in the area.
Iheanachor said a ‘fingerprinting’ analysis of the crude samples from the site would reveal the operator whose facility discharged the crude into the environment.
“We are planning a Joint Investigation visit by next Tuesday. I am writing to all the operators within the area to send their representatives because samples will be collected for fingerprinting,” NOSDRA said.
