Anxiety is growing in Azuzuama Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as residents await the official cause of the oil spill, nearly two weeks after crude oil began leaking from an Oando-operated facility, with fears mounting over the environmental and economic impact of the incident.
The spill, believed to be the first reported since Oando acquired the asset from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), has sparked widespread concern as no official Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report has been released to determine the cause of the incident.
Key Highlights
- Anxiety grows over the unresolved cause of the oil spill in Bayelsa.
- Oando, regulators and community representatives have inspected the site three times.
- No official Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report has identified the cause of the spill.
- Residents suspect equipment failure, but regulators are yet to confirm.
- ECARD raises concerns over a possible underwater oil leak.
- Community leaders urge immediate investigation and environmental remediation.
- Incident revives memories of the 2015 Azuzuama pipeline explosion that claimed 14 lives.
According to the Environmental Conservation Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD), Oando, government regulators and community representatives have visited the spill site on three separate occasions.
ECARD disclosed that the affected section of the pipeline was excavated, exposed and thoroughly examined during the inspections. However, the organisation noted that investigators are yet to issue an official Joint Investigation Visit report establishing the cause of the oil spill.
Although many residents believe the spill resulted from equipment failure, the regulators have not confirmed that conclusion.
The organisation also expressed concern over a suspected underwater leak at another location within the affected area, warning that it could worsen pollution and increase environmental damage if left unchecked.
Community leaders, including Community Development Committee Chairman Pere Angasei and Vice Chairman Uyabara, expressed frustration over the delay in concluding the investigation.
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They said residents remain patient but are increasingly worried as crude oil continues to spread through mangrove forests, threatening biodiversity, fishing activities and other sources of livelihood.
The leaders called on Oando and relevant regulatory agencies to urgently return to the community, conclude the investigation, establish the cause of the oil spill, and commence comprehensive cleanup and remediation.
The latest incident has also revived painful memories of the 2015 Azuzuama pipeline tragedy, when 14 people, including officials of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, lost their lives in a pipeline explosion during a Joint Investigation Visit.
ECARD’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Alagoa Morris, assured residents that the organisation would continue to monitor developments and provide updates as investigations progress.
