Fresh Oil Spill Hits Bayelsa's Kolo Creek Community

By Samuel Oyadongha

A pipeline leak within the Kolo Creek oil field, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, in Bayelsa State, is currently discharging crude oil into the environment, the residents have said.

Mr Anthony Okpu, who resides in Imiringi community in Bayelsa State, said in Yenagoa that the spill was noticed yesterday in Yenagoa.

Meanwhile, our correspondent who visited the area observed that no vehicle or tricycle was allowed by armed soldiers beyond the blocked spots towards the facility.

According to Okpu, the oil leaking from a crude trunk line connecting Kolo Creek fields to SPDC's pipeline network had flowed into the communities and devastated farmlands and vegetation.

"We do not know exactly when the spillage started but this morning (Wedneday) we saw crude leaking from the pipeline into the road. When we got there soldiers had already cordoned off the area. They did not allow us to get near to find out the possible cause of the leakage. We woke up this early morning to see this in our community.

"I believe the soldiers must have reported the incident so that they can shut down the pipeline feed to forestall further damage to the environment. But oil is still gushing out of the line," Okpu said.

When contacted, Lt.-Col Ado Isa, Media Coordinator, Joint Task Force, saddled with the responsibility of protecting oil installations in the Niger Delta, said he was yet to get the report.

He, however, pledged to verify the reporter before making comment.

Mr Joseph Obari, SPDC spokesperson, when contacted confirmed the incident but said that it had been contained.

He said: "A leak was detected on Wednesday on SPDC JV Kolo Creek Manifold. The leak has been stopped and our Oil Spill Response team deployed to the site to contain it. A Joint Investigation Visit, JIV, will be conducted 
tomorrow (Thursday) to confirm the cause of the spill."

Source: nairausd.blogspot.com