Oil spillage: Shell shuts production in Bayelsa as NOSDRA wades in

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has suspended production in its facility at Obololi community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, over oil leak that has polluted rivers and impacted on aquatic lives in the area. SPDC spokesperson, Mr Michael Adande, in a statement confirming the leak, said the operator of […]

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has suspended production in its facility at Obololi community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, over oil leak that has polluted rivers and impacted on aquatic lives in the area.

SPDC spokesperson, Mr Michael Adande, in a statement confirming the leak, said the operator of the SPDC Joint Venture (SPDC JV) after confirming the leak immediately isolated the line and suspended production.

Weekend Trust gathered that the oil spill, which started last Sunday and traced to rupture of the over-aged underwater pipeline laid in 1973, was still flowing as at the time of filing this report.

A deputy paramount ruler of Obololi community, Wilfred Kueke, who decried massive destruction of the environment by the oil spill, said the only source from which the people get water for drinking, cooking and washing has been heavily polluted.

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Meanwhile, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has taken a step in addressing oil spillages and environmental pollution by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a firm, F1 Consulting.

The agreement, signed at NOSDRA headquarters in Abuja, aims to enhance collaboration between the agency and key stakeholders, including oil companies and host communities for speedy detection and prompt response to oil spills.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NOSDRA, Engr Chukwuemeka Woke, emphasised the agency’s commitment to fully implementing the MOU’s provisions.

“We are prepared to implement 100 percent of the content of this MOU and are confident that our partners will do the same,” he said.

He further called on oil companies and other critical stakeholders to cooperate with NOSDRA in tackling oil spills.