Bayelsa Community Bemoans Massive Oil Spillage From Agip Pipeline

Indigenes of the Olugboboro community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa have cried out over a massive oil leakage of from the pipeline operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, (NAOC) in the area.
According to the Olugboboro indigenes, the spill occurred about two months ago along Ogboinbiri/Tebitada pipeline when the pipeline ruptured which has been attributed to equipment failure.
In a letter to the Bayelsa State Government, the community called for urgent intervention to save the communities from the toxic effects of the oil spillage.
The letter signed by the Olugboboro community, Chief Azeke Matthew Akpowari, Chief Ebimobowei Kenbo Ipkesiware and Amos Oweifighe, said, “We wish to register our utter displeasure and intimate you of the inaction of Nigerian Agip Oil Company, (NAOC), to the oil spillage that occurred on a pipeline operated by the company, at Olugboboro community in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa state.
“The spill occurred about two months ago along Ogboinbiri/Tebitada pipeline when the pipeline ruptured which has been attributed to equipment failure. As a result, for about two months, crude oil has been gushing out from the pipeline, thereby devastating a large swath of farmlands, ponds, economic trees and lakes in the forest.”
Biedinobou, where the equipment failure occurred is a major farming and fishing hub of the community. They said that storm water from the rains is helping to spread the spill to other areas around the leakage site.
They said that even though they had informed Agip about the spill, the company has not done anything to contain the spill from further polluting and degrading the environment.
“The refusal of Agip to contain the spill has shown its crass disregard for the plight of the people and the environment, the community leaders said and demanded that Agip did the following, “Mobilize to site immediately and contain the spill, clean up and rehabilitate the environment. Send relief materials and pay adequate compensation to the community to ameliorate their suffering.”