| AN oil spill from a poorly repaired pipeline of the Pipelines Marketing and Products Company (PPMC) is ravaging several communities in the Chanomi creek on the Escravos River, in Warri South West Local Council of Delta State. The spill is believed to be spreading in over seven neighbouring communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom. The worst affected is Inikorogha community near where the spillage occurred. PPMC’s oil pipelines traverse many communities in the Escravos area. It was gathered that the spill was first noticed on or about March 27, this year and had been gradually growing since no repair was effected on the pipeline. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) is said to have conducted a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) inspection at Ikangbene, Azama, Inikorogha, Ubefan, and some neighbourhoods in the Ijaw riverine communities on the Local Council. NOSDRA yesterday visited some of the affected communities to estimate the damage to the environment. Suspected militants first ruptured the pipelines during the so-called oil war declared by insurgents last year. Inikoroghan people yesterday alleged that some of shoddily repaired pipelines spilled crude in the communities causing collateral damage to the only source of livelihood of the locals. The Community’s chairman, Captain Kingsley Binama, yesterday said the spill had leaked from badly repaired pipelines attacked by restive armed youths in the past. The Warri zonal director of the NOSDRA, Mr. Akindele Olubunmi confirmed the development, stressing that the agency had already conducted a joint investigation into the spill and was still monitoring the area. |
Jul32010