Panic In Bayelsa Over Multiple Agip Pipeline Oil Spill

There were signs of panic among the Indigenes of the Kalaba/Ayamabele and Akumoni communities of Okordia Clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following the multiple Oil spillage from the pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

The Oil spill, according to the concerned indigenes occurred between November 2 and 3, 2015 and from about 12 ruptured points on the pipeline.

Leadership gathered that the breached points of the pipeline were said to be discharging crude oil into the environments of the communities destroying flora and fauna.

It was learnt that fear of the outbreak of spill-related epidemic had gripped the people as the impact of the incidents was spreading fast within the swampy environment aided by the current floods.

The incidents were reportedly caused by a third party interference following alleged non-payment for clean-up jobs by Agip.

A pipeline surveillance contractor and immediate past youth president of Kalaba community, Joel M. Joel, confirmed the spills and said the communities had been having challenges with the company.

Joel complained that since July this year when some surveillance contractors carried out a clean-up job in impacted area Agip, after clamping, had not deemed it necessary to pay them.

He said, “Now, one thing of concern is that, since July ,2015 till now Agip has not paid the surveillance contractors, especially those from Ayamabele and Kalaba; even though those of Akumoni are saying they are suffering the same fate.