Rivers oil community residents lament as oil firms deny spill that triggered ongoing inferno
Residents of Agum-Bukuma in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers are lamenting the adverse effect of a raging fire sparked off by oil leakage from a yet-to-be ascertained operator.
The area hosts a network of pipelines operated by several oil companies who have either denied responsibility for the spill or kept mum over the oil leakage.
The fire, which ignited over two weeks ago, has destroyed farmlands, even as crude oil has polluted the community’s only source of drinking water.
Residents of the area describe the situation as dire, with fears of long-term irreversible environmental and health consequences.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has, however, launched an investigation to identify the the source of the leak.
The spills management agency pledged to conduct a finger-print analysis to match the crude samples collected from the site with samples from oil wells in the area to identify the oil firm responsible for the leak.
Mr. Emmanuel Kejeh, Special Assistant on Media to NOSDRA’s Director-General, said at the weekend that the agency would unveil the polluting entity by using empirical evidence as many oil firms operate in the area.
“There are so many pipelines in that creek, and until the lab test is done, we cannot determine who owns the facility responsible for the leak.
“Any company you call will deny ownership until NOSDRA presents evidence from the lab results,” Kejeh said.
He explained that the ongoing hydrocarbon-induced fire poses a unique challenge as it cannot be extinguished by conventional firefighting methods.
“This type of fire will burn until it extinguishes itself, even if the pipeline is shut in. The oil already spilled will keep fueling the flames,” Kejeh added.
Companies with operations in the Degema area include Shell Nigeria, Eroton, and Sahara.
Residents are appealing to both the government and the oil firms operating in the area to take urgent steps to address the crisis and prevent further damage to their environment and their livelihoods.
