Residents of Peremabiri community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, along with environmentalists, are expressing concern over the detrimental effects of fresh oil spills from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) on the livelihood of the community.
It has been reported that the leak occurred at the Diebu Creek Flow station, operated by SPDC in Peremabiri, and discharged an unknown amount of crude oil into the surrounding areas of the community and the Nun River.
Mrs. Yenimi Timipre, a farmer affected by the spill, lamented the damage caused to her fishing gear, rendering it useless due to the crude oil contamination.
Additionally, Mrs. Favour Morgan, the Deputy Woman Leader of Peremabiri Community, expressed her distress over the spill, stating that it has destroyed fishing nets, traps, crops, and has polluted the entire aquatic environment.
“This oil spill has plunged the Peremabiri people into despair. Our livelihood depends on farming and fishing, and the toxic oil from Shell’s oil field has damaged our sources of income,” said Morgan.
The community members have appealed to all levels of government to intervene and urge SPDC to promptly clean up the oil spill site.
Mr. Alagoa Morris, the Programme Manager of Environmental Right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), commented on the situation, emphasizing that the oil leak has contaminated the ecosystem.
He noted that the pollution resulting from the oil spill has had adverse effects on the predominantly farming and fishing communities along the banks of River Nun.
Morris, who also serves as the Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Environment, commended the peaceful demeanor of the victims and urged regulatory agencies to ensure that SPDC carries out the necessary clean-up process promptly to alleviate the economic and health challenges faced by the residents of Peremabiri Community.
In response, SPDC has confirmed the oil spill that occurred on October 3 at its facilities in Peremabiri community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
Mr. Michael Adande, a spokesperson for SPDC, stated that a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) is currently underway to determine the cause and volume of the oil discharge.
“JIV is a statutory probe comprising representatives of the operator, host community, and regulatory agencies, which generates a report to ascertain the cause and extent of pollution after every reported spill,” explained Adande.