A crude oil spill has been reported in Ogale, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, coinciding with President Bola Tinubu’s signing of a bill establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni ,FUETO, in Rivers State.
The spill, which occurred on February 3 at the Ogale Manifold, has sparked widespread concern and outrage among local communities and environmental advocacy groups.
According to a statement by the Executive Director of the Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre ,YEAC-Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the manifold spill filled underground pits before flowing freely into the pipeline right-of-way, affecting Lot-1 of the Ogoni Cleanup Project.
YEAC-Nigeria volunteers suspect that the spill was caused by equipment failure while contractors were carrying out maintenance work on the facility.
The incident has also been marred by reports of violence and intimidation, with the Eleme Youth President allegedly invading the spill site with armed boys, confiscating trucks, and beating up drivers.
Some individuals, including Mr. Gift Gongogo Nene, were reportedly injured in the process.
However, the group is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident, urging the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency ,NOSDRA, to invoke sections of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, and ensure adequate compensation for those affected.
The group also demands that Shell Petroleum Development Company ,SPDC, of Nigeria, which owns and operates the manifold, take responsibility for the spill and provide adequate compensation to the community.
