The people of Olugboboro community in Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa have appealed to the state government to intervene on a massive oil leakage from a pipeline allegedly operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, (NAOC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the community pressed their plight in a petition to the Bayelsa government on Tuesday in Yenagoa.
The letter, signed by the community leaders, said the spill occurred about two months ago along Ogboinbiri/Tebitada pipeline, which allegedly ruptured due to equipment failure.
The community leaders, who signed the petition are Chief Azeke Matthew and Chief Ebimobowei Kenbo called for urgent intervention to stop the spill.
“We wish to register our utter displeasure and intimate you of the inaction of NAOC to the oil spillage that occurred in a pipeline operated by the company at Olugboboro community.
“The spill occurred about two months ago along Ogboinbiri/Tebitada pipeline when the pipeline ruptured which has been attributed to equipment failure.
”As a result, for about two months, crude oil has been gushing out from the pipeline , thereby devastating a large swath of farm lands, ponds, economic trees and lakes in the forest.
“It will be difficult to quantify the damage wrecked on the people’s means of livelihood and the environment because of the huge quantity of crude oil spilled.
“It would be pertinent to note that Biedinobou where the equipment failure occurred is a major farming and fishing hub of the community.
“Hundred of thousands of barrels of crude oil have been spilled since sometime in May this year when the pipeline ruptured; thereby turning farm lands , lakes and ponds into rivers of crude oil.
“Agip has been informed of the ugly incident , however till date, it has not made any attempt to contain the spill from further polluting and degrading the environment.
“We demand Agip should mobilize to site immediately and contain the spill, clean up the environment and send relief materials and pay adequate compensation to the community to ameliorate their suffering,” the community said.
The community attached photocopies of the spill for perusal to the governor.
Efforts to reach the company for comment proved abortive.
Source; NAN
