Another Oil Spill Reported In Rivers

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A fresh oil spill has been reported in Ogale, headquarters of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The spill, which occurred at platform operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited occurred while workers of the company were said to be carrying out maintenance work.

The spill of crude oil flowed into farmlands and vegetation close to an area that the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) had carried out remediated work a few years ago. Sources said it first filled underground pits before overflowing to the surface.

Though Shell had not responded to the spill, some people in the area attributed it to equipment failure at the site.

Fyneface Dumnamene of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre called for a Joint Investigation Visit to the site by Shell, the community and the National Oils Spill Detection and Response Agency.

The President of Eleme Youth Council, Comrade Walter Olaka, had mobilised youths to cordon off the area and move vehicles found at the site to the local government headquarters. The trucks were being used to scoop the spilled oil at the site.

The spill has added to the growing incidence of environmental pollution in Rivers State arising from pipeline failures or vandalism by oil thieves.

The latest spill is coming hours after President Bola Tinubu on Monday gave assent to a bill establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, Ogoni. That presidential gesture is believed to be part of government’s efforts to appease Ogoni people so that they can accept the resumption of crude oil production in the area. It is not known how the incident can impact that move.