Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — A devastating oil spill from a pipeline operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has wreaked havoc on several coastal communities in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The spill, according to locals which became noticeable last Saturday at Iloma Community, has spread rapidly through creeks and rivers, affecting neighboring communities such as Epelema, Orupiri, Ayaminima, Minima, Oloma, and Oguede in Bonny.
Youth leader of Iloma Community, Mr Arnold Hart, who described the damage as catastrophic, said the spill splashed onto rooftops and agricultural land, forcing the evacuation of the entire community due to the heightened risk of fire.
Hart said crude oil has also heavily contaminated local water bodies, making it impossible for the residents to fish or farm—the primary sources of livelihood for many.
“We had to evacuate our homes because the oil spilled onto our roofs and farmlands. We are living in fear of fire. The situation is dire, and we need immediate help from the government and NNPC.”
A member of Epelema Community, John Abbey, said boat drivers navigating the polluted waters have been forced to slow down to avoid sparks from their engines igniting the oil-slicked environment.
“This is a disaster for us. Our fishing and farming livelihoods are gone. The crude oil has taken over everything. We need immediate assistance or we will be left with nothing. The spill has also affected several other localities, including Orupiri, Ayaminima, and Oguede, where the environmental damage is widespread and severe.”
Although a JIV to ascertain the cause of the spill, volume and extent of the spill is yet to be conducted, locals in the area have suggested that the spill was caused by a rupture at a pipeline flange.
Valentine Hart, a local community member believe that NNPCL maintenance workers may be responsible for the oil spill, citing previous issues with the pipeline.
“The flange on the pipeline suggests foul play. We believe that NNPCL workers may have been involved, and we call for an independent investigation. This can’t be swept under the carpet.”
Similarly, an environmental advocate and Director of Pollution at the Bonny Youth Federation, Mr Sotonye Allison, has called on the relevant authorities to take urgent action.
“The destruction is massive, and our waters are now a health and fire hazard. We demand immediate action from NNPCL to contain the spill and help our communities recover.”
Meanwhile, security measures have been heightened in the area by the Nigerian Army and Navy to protect against further environmental and public safety risks.
However, the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is yet to react on the incident.
