Fresh OML 29 spill sparks outrage in Nembe

Nathan Tamarapreye

Communities in Okpoama and Ikensi in Brass and Nembe Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State have raised fresh concerns over an underwater crude oil pipeline leak at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29, warning of worsening environmental pollution and threats to livelihoods.
Residents reportedly discovered the leak near Ikensi community at about 6:45am on Thursday after crude oil was seen discharging into surrounding waterways.
The incident was immediately reported to the operator of the oilfield, Nembe Exploration and Production Limited, formerly Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Limited.
Officials of both the oil firm and the oil spill regulatory agency confirmed the incident but said an official statement was still being prepared as of Thursday evening.
Chief Clarkson Obiakpa, a leader in Opu Nembe, said residents who first detected the spill were alarmed by the absence of immediate containment or emergency response measures.
“The spill was discovered early on Thursday morning around 6:45am. Crude oil is still flowing into our waterways. No response team has arrived.
“Our rivers, fishing grounds and drinking water sources are already being affected. We are deeply concerned about our survival and livelihood,” Obiakpa said.
He noted that the latest incident comes shortly after another spill linked to a marine vessel operation along the Atlantic coastline, which reportedly impacted Okpoama, Diema and Twon-Brass communities in neighbouring Brass LGA during a crude transshipment exercise.
Also reacting, community leader Chief Edwin Otiete-Goli said the repeated spills were devastating local livelihoods and the fragile ecosystem.
“This spill has devastated our waters and our means of livelihood. Our fishing grounds are polluted, and our ecosystem is under serious threat. We call for immediate accountability, full remediation and justice for our people who depend entirely on these waters for survival,” he said.
OML 29 is operated by Nembe Exploration and Production Limited, which acquired the asset and the 97-kilometre Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) for $2.4 billion in 2015 following Shell Petroleum Development Company’s divestment.
Due to persistent oil theft and vandalism on the Nembe Creek Trunk Line, the operator discontinued its use for crude evacuation to the Bonny Export Terminal and adopted barges and smaller vessels to transport crude oil to a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility for export.
The interim arrangement, pending the connection of oil wells directly to the FPSO through pipelines, has reportedly been plagued by repeated operational leaks during crude transloading activities.
When contacted on Thursday evening, a public affairs official of Nembe Exploration and Production Limited said the company was preparing an official response.
“An official statement will be sent soon,” the official said.