Fresh Oil Spill Hits Bayelsa Coastline
A recent occurrence of oil spills, originating from an unidentified source, has affected Foropa, a fishing settlement along the Atlantic coastline in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The coastline is now heavily saturated with crude oil.
The spills were first observed on January 3rd, 2024, as reported in a letter sent to the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and signed by Foropa’s traditional ruler, Pastor Olabai Olozulu.
The letter, directed to the Head of NOSDRA, Bayelsa Office in Yenagoa, highlighted that six oil companies operate in the vicinity of Foropa in Southern Ijaw. These companies are First Exploration and Production Company Limited, Conoil Producing Limited, NNPC E&P Limited, Shell Nigeria, and Nigdel United Oil Company.
In the petition, Olozulu called on NOSDRA and other regulatory agencies to identify the source of the spill and take measures to mitigate its impact on the predominantly fishing settlement. He also appealed to the six oil firms operating in the area to provide relief materials to alleviate the hardships faced by the residents of Foropa, many of whom are now unemployed due to the oil spills.
Related Posts
Mr. Chukwuemeka Iheanacho, the Head of NOSDRA, Bayelsa State Office, confirmed receipt of the report and announced plans for a joint investigation visit to the impacted site. The investigation will involve all the oil companies operating in the area, and a ‘fingerprinting’ analysis of crude samples from the site will be conducted to determine the responsible operator whose facility discharged the crude into the environment.
“We are planning a Joint Investigation visit by next Tuesday. I am writing to all the operators within the area to send their representatives because samples will be collected for fingerprinting,” NOSDRA said.
