Residents of Azikoro and environs in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria have expressed concerns over adulterated atmosphere, due to gas leakage in the area.
Reports said the leakage is experienced at the “Ogboinbiri/OB-OB’’ gas pipeline, now causing air pollution.
Residents say the emission of pungent gas from the leakage which began on Monday has continued unabated.
Surveillance personnel of an oil company, Ike Napoleon, said workers heard a deafening sound at the facility while on duty on Monday morning.
“The gas leak is a thing of surprise because it is the first time such will occur. It was totally unexpected,’’ Napoleon said.
The Paramount ruler of Azikoro community Chief Clever Amadoko, expressed concern that the leakage has subjected people into danger following continued exposure to the toxic raw gas.
He therefore called on the oil company to immediately mobilize to site to stop the “enormous’’ leakage.
“We don’t know what actually happened; whether it was caused by sabotage or not. But the oil company should come quickly and plug the leakage.
“Our lives are in danger, particularly those of people farming at the vicinity of the leakage.
“I call on the oil company to immediately close the leakage. It is enormous. One cannot breathe very well; the whole atmosphere is polluted,’’ he said.
The State’s Commissioner for the Environment, Iselema Gbaranbiri, who visited the area, described the leakage as harmful to human lives and to the ecosystem, saying the gas was gushing very fast under very high pressure.
He urged the oil firm to plug the leakage and save the environment from further damage.
“We call on the oil company to plug the leakage and give room for a Joint Investigation Visit.
“Gas is spewing very fast and with serious pressure, which is inimical to human health and even to the ecosystem.
“You can see the vegetation is getting dry; farmlands are here, women and men that farm around here cannot come to their farms to harvest their crops,’’ the commissioner said. NAN