Indigenes of five fishing communities in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State were yesterday thrown into panic following a massive underwater crude oil leakages from the 8 inches pipeline along the Nembe south location owned by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).
The two massive crude oil leakages which was discovered by the Indigenes on the 24th and 26th of December,2016, have led to a stop to fishing and farming activities in the affected communities with a probable water poisoning.
TheNewsGuru.com gathered that while the underwater leakage was discovered by fishermen close to the Brass River, the up ground leakage was discovered in the mangrove close a mile away from the Nembe road in the area.
A joint Inspection Team of Local Indigenes and Concerned Environmental groups led by the Coordinator of the Niger Delta Development Monitoring Group and Former Chairman of Nembe Oil and Gas Committee, Chief Nengi James and the Public Relation Officer of the Sabatorou Youth group, Comrade Justice Andrew visited the sites of the spillages.
Speaking with newsmen, Chief Nengi James,who confirmed the development, said the visit to the sites of the leakage was to get video and pictorial evidence.
‘The team suspected that the spillage occurred some days before discovery by indigenes. And Agip is yet to attend to the cry of the communities. The spillage has stopped aquatic and farming activities.”
“Agip has refused to do containment and clean ups. We are calling on government and appropriate organisations to condemn the attitude of Agip to the host communities. We also recommend that the damaged pipelines be replaced and necessary compensation paid to indigenes of affected communities.