Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has disclosed that it is investigating a report of an oil spill from its asset at Ogboinbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The operational mishap on August 24 at Diebu Creek Flowstation operated by SPDC discharged a yet-to-be ascertained volume of crude into the environment.
The people of Peremabiri community cried out over the adverse impact of the spill, alleging insensitivity and neglect against the SPDC.
They said the delayed response to the spill by SPDC led to damage to their land and marine environment, and impacted a wider area.
The SPDC, through a statement by its Spokesman, Mr. Mike Adande, in Yenagoa, confirmed the oil firm is aware of the reported spill.
Adande said: “We are working with regulators and local community to investigate the reported incident.
“The Diebu Creek stopped injection into the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) on February 25, owing to constant breaches of the TNP by crude oil thieves.
“The TNP is currently undergoing tests with water main flushing.”
According to residents, the discharge of large volumes of crude into the environment has polluted the Nun River, swamps and farmlands causing hardship to the predominantly fishing and farming settlement.
The Chairman of Peremabiri Community Development Committee, Mr. Return Koma, said officials of SPDC had convened a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the flow station and impacted site for Monday.
“They called to say that they are coming for a JIV on Tuesday and shortly they shifted it to today being Monday, so we are waiting,” Koma said.
Koma explained that the JIV report will reveal the cause of the spill, estimated volume of spill and the impacted area.