Fresh twin oil spills are compounding the remediation work being carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoni communities in Rivers State.
The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) had commissioned a clean-up exercise in the area following years of oil exploration that had heavily impacted the ecosystem.
The UN agency had set up HYPREP as a body charged with the responsibility of cleaning the impacted areas, but while the clean-up is ongoing, fresh oil spills are being reported.
The latest spills were reported in Ogale and Korokoro communities, both in Ogoni land on Sunday, sparking concerns over worsening environmental conditions in the already heavily polluted Niger Delta.
It was learnt that the first incident occurred in Korokoro community, Tai Local Government Area, where crude oil was observed leaking from a wellhead located near a Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) clean-up site.
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The facility is situated within the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company and now under the control of NNPC Limited.
In Ogale community in Eleme Local Government Area, crude oil was seen leaking from a pipeline near a manifold operated by the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Zonal Director of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) in Port Harcourt, Mr. Augustine Bello, who confirmed the fresh incidents, said the agency is monitoring both situations and plans to conduct a joint investigation visit after the Easter holidays.
Bello said the facility in Korokoro belongs to NNPC L and they have already initiated containment, while a joint investigation visit will be done after the Easter festivities.
For the one in Ogale, Bello said they were waiting for feedback, adding that “probably because of the festivities it will take up to Tuesday or Wednesday for a joint investigation visit to hold,” he added.
A joint investigation visit is a standard procedure following any oil spill, involving representatives from the operating company, NOSDRA, the host community, and the state ministry of environment.
The Ogale Community had dragged Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to a London court claiming compensation to the tune of several millions of dollars following years of the company’s activities in the area that have negatively impacted the ecosystem.
