Fresh oil spill spread across Bayelsa community

A fresh oil spill has reportedly spread across the Nembe Creek in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

According to reports, the spill, which occurred around 6 pm on Monday at a facility operated by Aiteo Exploration and Production is coming 3 years after the oil and gas blowout at a well owned by the company in the area.

It was learned that the latest incident occurred at a loading point in the Nembe Creek when the force of the tide caused a stationed vessel to hit a loading vessel, identified as FMT 23.

Furthermore, it was gathered that the spill has spread as far as Okpoama on the Atlantic fringe in Brass Local Government Area.

Eyewitnesses at Nembe Creek and Mammy-waterkiri, two communities bordering the loading point, attributed the spill to the incident between the two vessels.

According to them, the hose disconnected from the loading vessel and started pumping crude oil into the water at great force and it took some time before oil workers could shutdown the point.

Another resident of the area simply identified himself as Ebiyon, said “concentration of crude oil on the water could be seen from a point before Nembe Creek Trunkline up to the loading point that extended past Kpongbokiri community, close to the boundary with Brass Local Government Area.

“Two booms were sighted around the company’s loading point to prevent further spread of the crude oil into the mangrove.”

Also Read:

• EFCC probes man over $578,000 cash smuggling
• Osun communal clashes: Group condemns action, calls for lasting solution 
• NLNG to improve operational efficiency of domestic LPG supply in Nigeria
• Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76
• Arrest of Bauchi AG: EFCC targeting governor for politics, not corruption – CSO

The chairman, Oil and Gas, Nembe Kingdom , St. George Kumo, also confirmed the development. 

He however lamented the magnitude of the spill, which spread according to him, was aided by powerful water currents.

As of press time, the spokesperson for Aiteo, Ndiana-Abasi Matthew could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was on voice mail and he was yet to respond to a text message earlier sent.