Target Segibo, Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa on Wednesday bemoaned the adverse impact of an oil leak at Obololi axis in his domain.
Segibo, who said that the spill emanated from an oil asset operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), noted that the pollution was massive.
He regretted that SPDC has not been forthcoming in addressing challenges faced by its host communities in the area.
The chairman addressed chiefs and people of the Community after an on- the -spot assessment of the oil spill from the company’s facility at Obololi,
Segibo expressed shock at the level of devastation on the Obololi community, stating that the only source from which the people get water for drinking, cooking and washing has been heavily polluted.
He explained that the oil leakage which occured on Sunday was traced to rupture of the over-aged underwater pipeline laid in 1973.
The chairman lamented neglect of the people by SPDC since the company laid its pipes and commenced operations there in 1973.
He noted that the people of Obololi have been exposed to environmental degradation, economic hardship, several health problems including cholera, loss of biodiversity, soil and water contamination, air pollution, reduced tourism, displaced residents
Segibo said that Southern Ijaw LGA will urgently provide alternative water supply to the area to assuage their plights.
He called on the people of Obololi to avoid drinking and cooking with water fetched from the creek there to avoid water-borne diseases.
The chairman urged the people, particularly the adults to sensitize the youths to heed to the caution to save lives.
In his response, deputy paramount ruler of Obololi, His Highness Wilfred Kueke intimated the Council Chairman of the age-long devastations the community has suffered since SPDC started its operations there in 1973.
The Community leader decried the refusal of SPDC and its contractors to provide social amenities in the community, including healthcare services, water as well as Community-Company relationship.
Also speaking, a representative of the women, Ebiware Ikuromo while narrating her deep feelings, lamented the loss of aquatic life and what she describe as the recalcitrant attitude of SPDC concerning its relationship with the host community.
She noted that several people, particularly children who had been infested with ailments through drinking from the contaminated creek since there was no alternative, were on admission in various health facilities outside Obololi.
The people called on Gov. Douye Diri and Segibo to swing into actions by sending health personnel, drugs, relief materials and water to reduce their hardship.
A spokesman for SPDC who pleaded anonymity when contacted for a response on the reported leak and pollution incident promised to revert soon but was yet to do so at the time of filing this report. (NAN)
