Location: Ogboinbiri and Keme-ebiama Environment
Report By: Alagoa Morris.
INTRODUCTION:
The Environmental Defenders Network [EDEN] has documented oil spills from Oando facilities more from the Ogboinbiri environment. Not only has impacts from these oil spills impacted other communities [as that of November, 2024], Keme-ebiama community; Ogboinbiri’s closest neighbour has also experienced these recent oil spills. Ogboinbiri and Keme-ebiamaare both in Apoi clan of Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State. These communities have been experiencing oil spills from Agip’sOgboinbiri/Tebidaba pipeline before Agip divested to Oando in August, 2024. But, the frequency of the spill incidents is higher now; within the same environment.
There might be more, but between September, 2024 and 16th May, 2025 EIGHT [8] oil spills have been mentioned within a short distance and close to the company’s Flow Station at Ogboinbiri. Out of these eight incidents, EDEN had earlier reported FIVE [5]; out of which four were as a result of equipment failure.The fresh oil spill incidents are associated with 5th, 9thand 16th May, 2025.
Spill incidents of 5th and 16th May, 2025 in Ogboinbiri environment:
Owing to the serious current leadership issue in the community and need for confidentiality, EDEN would not mention names of reliable community leaders/folks who spoke on the spill incidents to EDEN. Speaking to EDEN, a community leader who was at one of the spill sites on Saturday, 24th May, 2025 confirmed thus ‘’ One of the fresh oil spills occurred on 5th of this month [May] and the one of the site I visited this morning happened on 16th of this same month. They have clamped the point and both of them were as a result of equipment failure.’’ When asked if NOSDRA or Ministry of Environment was represented during the clamping, he said ‘’ I am not aware if any those government agencies was represented’’. EDEN asked what was been done about clean up and he replied ‘’Nothing has been done in terms of cleanup; not even the one that occurred on 3rd May, 2025. The cleanup they are doing, to the best of my knowledge is a spill impacted site of 2021 or so.And, with the rains, unless something is done urgently the crude oil will spread to impact other areas. I also heard of the spill incident in Keme-ebiama environment but I haven’t been there.’’
Keme-ebiama environment spill:
Oando pipelines traverse Keme-ebiama community environment, the Ogboinbiri/Tebidaba pipeline. And, this community too had experienced several oil spills from the days of Nigerian Agip Oil Company [NAOC]; as the community has been part of JIV report signatories over the years. Speaking at the exact spill point, the Vice- Chairman of the Community Development Committee [CDC] said ‘’ This is Comrade Alfred Laikpo, the current Vice-Chairman, Keme-ebiama community. Day before yesterday information received indicated oil spill, equipment failure. I and my team are at the spot where the spill has occurred. We have confirmed that this is equipment failure. It has been occurring in our environment but Oando has been neglecting the community. But today, being Friday, 9th May, 2025 we have confirmed another spill. As you can see, righ now the pressure is down so the crude is not coming out. But you can see that a spill has occurred. And, it is confirmed that this is equipment failure. So, we want all the government agencies and Oando to acknowledge the fact that another spill has occurred. So they should come and do the needful. The community should be carried along. Other times they have been neglecting us .But this one, at least we would follow it up. I am representing the Chairman and Keme-ebiamacommunity.’’
OBSERVATION/CONCLUSION:
As indicated in the introduction, having eight [8] oil spills within this environment close to Oando’sOgboinbiri Flow Station in a space of nine [9] months speaks volumes about the facility and integrity; especially when almost all the incidents are attributed to equipment failure. The frequency is high. The fact that the spill impacted environment are not promptly cleaned up and remediated is of serious concern too. It reeks of lack of responsibility towards environmental safety and sustainability. And, when this disposition is deliberate, it could be rightly described as environmental terrorism. At a time when issues bothering on Environmental Justice is on the front burner, following submission of the Scientific Report by the Bayelsa Oil and Environment Commission; Oando’s nonchalance disposition toward environment safety is too loud. This is a challenge that the regulatory agencies at State and Federal levels should contain in the interest of the environment, livelihood and health of our people in affected communities. All legally viable means should be explored to call Oandoto take responsibility.
It was observed that the pipeline right of way is laden with spilled crude oil and, possibly farmlands and swamps on both sides. We are already in the rainy season and more the rains; more the crude oil will spread further into the farmlands and swamps. As was the incident of November, 2024; the crude oil may spread into Apoi Creek and impact communities downstream.
EDEN DEMANDS:
[1] The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency [NOSDRA], Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission [NUPRC], etc should take steps to ensure the right things are done, especially Joint Investigation Team [JIT] should visit the spill sites for official JIV report.
[2] The regulatory agencies of government should prevail on Oando to carry out integrity checks and replacement of the old, worn-out oil bearing pipelines within the Ogboinbiri/Keme-ebiamaenvironment.
[3] Regulatory agencies should prevail on Oando to carry out immediate cleanup, followed by proper remediation.
[4] In the interest of Environmental Justice, victims should be adequately compensated without delays.
