Panic as oil spill pollutes Nembe Creek in Bayelsa, communities make demands

An oil spill from crude loading operations at Nembe Creek oilfield in Bayelsa has affected several fishing communities, residents and environmental monitors have said.

It was learnt that the incident occurred on August 22, when a barge loading crude oil from a manifold at the facility reportedly ruptured.

The Nembe Creek oilfield within Oil Mining Lease 29 (OML) is operated by Nembe Exploration & Production Limited formerly Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Limited.

A field report by Environmental Conservation Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD), sighted by NAN indicate that the organisation visited the spill impacted site on Aug. 24.

ECARD said it observed crude oil along the creek and mangrove banks.

Its Lead Field Monitor, Chief Alagoa Morris, said the pungent smell of crude oil became noticeable about two kilometres from Nembe Creek during the visit.

ECARD said the spill had spread to several fishing settlements, with residents reporting loss of fishing activities and damage to fishing equipment.

The paramount ruler of Nembe Creek communities, HRH Agent Waya, said the incident had worsened the hardship faced by residents.

Waya said the community reported the spill to naval personnel after Aiteo officials allegedly failed to respond immediately to their concerns.

He said women from the affected communities later protested at the Aiteo facility, demanding relief materials, assessment of damages and compensation.

According to him, the affected communities requested relief materials within three days because residents could no longer engage in fishing.

Waya said the spill reportedly occurred while crude oil was being loaded into a barge, which subsequently tilted and discharged crude into the river.

He listed Mile 1, Mile 2, Mile 3, Roka, Williamkiri, Atonbarakiri, Korukiri and Madam Wanwakiri among the affected communities.