NOSDRA launches probe into oil spill affecting fishing in Bayelsa community

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) says it is investigating reports of  a ‘mystery’ oil spill that has heavily polluted Foropa, a fishing settlement in southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa.

Mystery spills refer to crude oil leaks from unknown sources where there are many oil firms operating near each other.

The community, in a letter dated January 8, 2024, and signed by Olabai Olozulu, traditional ruler of Foropa, Middleton, was addressed to the head of NOSDRA in Yenagoa, NAN reports.

In the letter, Olozulu said the oil leak at the coastline was noticed on January 3, 2023.

The community leader also highlighted the presence of six oil companies operating in the vicinity, including First E&P, Conoil Exploration, NEPL, Shell and Nigdel United Oil Company.

The community asked the regulatory agency and other government bodies to trace the source of the spill and mitigate its impact on the predominantly fishing settlement.

The community also urged the oil firms to mobilise relief materials to reduce the sufferings of the people.

Confirming the report, Chukwuemeka Iheanacho, head of NOSDRA in Bayelsa, said plans are underway for a joint visit to the impacted site with all the oil companies operating in the area.

Iheanacho said a “fingerprinting” analysis of the crude samples from the site would reveal the operator whose facility discharged the crude into the environment.

“We are planning a joint investigation visit by next Tuesday. I am writing to all the operators within the area to send their representatives because samples will be collected for fingerprinting,” he said.

On his part, Darius Sese, chairman of community development committee (CDC) in Foropa, said the incident had adversely impacted fishing in the area.

He said fishermen no longer made catches since the spill occurred, as fishes had migrated deeper into the Atlantic waters, away from the coastline.