Oil/Gas Spillage Ravages Delta Communities, One Dead, Victims Call For Aids

By Ebi Perekeme

The Polobubo/Opuama Communities in Delta state are counting their loses following an oil and gas spillage which ravaged the area last weekend.

It was learnt that the incident which left casualties, occurred in the early hours of Sunday, March 14, 2021. The deceased victim is Pa Anthony Ebiogbo of Opuama community who died as a result of too much gas.

Narrating the incident, a community leader and President of the Polobubo Bloc of POLOBUBO Communities, Mr. Paul Toruwei disclosed that one person has been confirmed dead with others still battling for survival in various hospitals in the area.

Mr. Toruwei, in a press statement made available in polobubo, explained that major pipeline transporting crude oil from opuama flow station in Oil Mining Lease (OML40) ruptured, which resulted into spillage of oil into the water and swamp forest in the operational area which includes opuama, polobubo and their bloc/satellite communities.

The President of the polobubo Bloc of Communities in the affected areas stated that residents are now mourning and battling to safe the life of those on danger list at the various hospitals.

Mr. Paul Toruwei has therefore sent a save our soul message to the Minister of State, Petroleum, Chief Timipre Slyva, Governor of Delta State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the GMD of NNPC, Mr. Kyari to come to the aid of the affected communities.

“As I speak, economic activities have been grounded, as a matter of fact, throughout Sunday, March 14, 2021, residents could not cook their food for fear of fire outbreak as a result of gas booming out from the said pipeline, that enveloped the whole vicinity.”

To forestall further destruction in the affected communities, Mr.Paul Toruwei called on the the Minister of Petroleum, Chief Slyva and the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Okowa to prevail on the management of NPDC/ELCREST to swing into action and take remedial actions by containing the further spread of the spillage.

“They should also provide medical care, food, water and other necessities in order to save the lives of resident that have been denied their sources of livelihood.”

The Communities also called on the NOSDRA, DPR and Ministry of Environment to activate the process of JIV to ascertain the cause of of spillage, send relief materials immediately and make arrangements to compensate the affected communities.