Oil spill hits A’Ibom oil community as NOSDRA probes source

Participants observed suspected crude oil stains on vegetation, shrubs and mangrove stems around the creek.

NOSDRA, the Akwa Ibom state Ministry of Environment, and oil companies collected samples of suspected crude oil from stained vegetation, sediment, and water for laboratory analysis and oil fingerprinting to determine the owning oil company.

The investigative visit involved NOSDRA, the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Environment, Amni International, Seplat Energy, Tulcan Energy, Savannah Energy, civil society organisations and PREMIUM TIMES.

NOSDRA said other operators in the area, including TotalEnergies and Sterling Oil, had been informed about the investigation but did not participate.

Network Oando also attended but did not join the field inspection into the creek.

The village head of Ntafre, Akpan Bassey, said the community had continued to live with serious infrastructure deficits despite being surrounded by oil companies.

“We are surrounded by many oil companies. As the nearest community to the ocean where many oil companies operate, we bear the brunt of pollution first. Yet, we have no medical centre or hospital or pipe borne water,” Mr Bassey said.

He said residents had continued to depend on available water sources despite concerns about contamination.