A pipeline leak within the Kolo creek oil field operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa is currently discharging crude into the environment, residents say.
Anthony Okpu, who resides in Imiringi community in the state, told news agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that the spill was noticed on Wednesday morning in Yenagoa.
According to him, the oil leaking from a crude trunk line connecting the Kolo creek fields to SPDC’s pipeline network had flown into the communities, devastating farmlands and vegetation.
“We do not know exactly when the spillage started. But this morning, we saw crude leaking from the pipeline into the road. When we got there, soldiers had already cordoned off the area,” he said.
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“They did not allow us to get near to find out the possible cause of the leakage. We woke up this early morning to see this in our community.
“I believe the soldiers must have reported the incident so that they can shut down the pipeline feed to forestall further damage to the environment. But oil is still gushing out of the line.”
Ado Isa, a lieutenant colonel and media coordinator, joint task force, saddled with the responsibility of protecting oil installations in the Niger Delta, said he was yet to get the report.
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However, he pledged to verify the report before making comment.
Joseph Obari, the SPDC spokesman, told NAN on telephone that the oil firm would react to the development in due course.
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