08 January 2015, Warri — A rupture in a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, at Otughievwen, Ughelli South Local Government Area, has contaminated the community’s Gbogidi River.
Chairman of the community, Chief Eric Sajini, said villagers saw bubbles discharging crude into the water at the cracked point, which cuts through the river.
When Niger Delta Voice visited the scene, some staff of the company, aided by engaged community hands, were seen casting a boom to curtail further spread of the spillage, which had already smeared the stretch of the Gbogidi Ferry Point.
Reacting to the incident, External Relations Manager, NPDC, Mr. Ugo Atugboko, said: “We heard of the development and quickly got in touch with the community chairman, which made the engagement to curtail the spread possible.
“Usually, it is best not to pre-empt the report of a formal joint investigation visit in determining cause, volume and extent of impact.
“But we are on top of the situation and we appreciate the community’s cooperation.”
Egufe Yafugborhi – Vanguard