10 November 2015, Yenagoa—Fear has gripped indigenes of Kalaba/Ayamabele and Akumoni communities of Okordia clan in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following reported multiple oil spillage from a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
According to the natives, the spills occurred between November 2 and 3, 2015 from 12 ruptured points on the pipeline.
The cause of the spills could not be immediately confirmed but a third party interference might not be ruled out following alleged non-payment for clean-up jobs by Agip.
The breached points were said to be discharging crude oil into the communities destroying flora and fauna.
A community source told Vanguard that the development had heightened fear of possible outbreak of spill-related inferno.
The oil spill, according to the locals, is spreading fast within the swampy environment aided by the current flood.
A community source, who confirmed the spills said: “We have a lot of challenges from Agip. We have attempted to address many of them with no positive results yet.”
The source complained that since July this year when some surveillance contractors carried out a clean-up job in impacted areas, Agip, after clamping, had not deemed it necessary to pay them.
He said: “Now, one area of concern is that, since July , 2015 till now, Agip has not paid the surveillance contractors, especially those from Ayamabele and Kalaba, though those of Akumoni are saying they are suffering the same fate.
“Those who caused the spills last time have gone back for a second attack on the pipeline because nothing happened when they carried out the first one in July.
“This time around, from the information our workers brought from the field, the saboteurs have damaged about 12 points on this line again, more than the first attack, all because nothing happened to them when they attacked months ago.
“It is on this premise that we (surveillance contractors) felt that unless we take certain steps, things will get worse and Agip won’t be happy with us. But, we have informed Agip about the latest development.”
Another pipeline surveillance contractor said the gun-wielding youths were still laying ambush for any ‘intruder.’
- Vanguard
