Shell investigates oil spill in Bayelsa

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria says a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to Aghoro community in Bayelsa is underway to investigate the cause of an oil spill in the neighbourhood.
An oil leakage had earlier occurred at an oilfield operated by SPDC in Aghoro, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
Mr. Bamidele Odugbesan, the Media Relations Manager of SPDC, said in Yenagoa that the oil firm had convened a joint investigation team to visit the area.
He, however, regretted that rains and swampy nature of the area are hampering the spill response operations.
“We have been working round-the-clock since the leak occurred; we got the report and as we speak, the JIV is underway but it is not yet concluded because there are three leak points in Aghoro community.
The JIV team, comprising SPDC officials, regulators, community representatives and Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment officials must visit the three spots before arriving at a conclusion.
The JIV report will indicate the cause of the spill as well as the estimated volume of crude that was discharged into the area,” he stated.
Community sources in Aghoro said that the investigation team had so far visited two out of the three leak points.
Meanwhile, the Oil and Gas Producing Areas Enlightenment and Empowerment Initiative (OGPAEEI), a community-based civil society group, has urged SPDC to expedite action in dealing with the oil spill in the area and bring relief to the victims who are faced with health issues due to the spill.
Adama.L