After more than 5 weeks, oil exploration firm, Aiteo has finally stopped a massive oil spill at its OML 29 in Nembe, Bayelsa State with Civil Rights Activists calling for immediate clean up of the area as well as a proper Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted to ascertain the extent of damage.
Nembe, an aquatic Council Area in Bayelsa State has witnessed what is perhaps its worst environmental crisis in years.
Getting to the affected area on the Santa Barbara River is herculean with visitors; especially journalists subjected to tough scrutiny and security protocols on the orders of AITEO.
At the scene, contractors had struggled to stop the spew of hydrocarbon into the Santa Barbara river after 5 weeks; leaving behind a trail of devastating impact on aquatic life.
Many can no longer fish have lost their livelihoods and worse still, aren’t sure of the next day.
Read Also:No Hope for Nembe people 3weeks after oil spill
Frontline Niger Delta activist, Ann Kio-Briggs and others want the Federal Government to step in to save the people and their impacted communities.
The leak which according to experts comprises 80% gas and 20% oil is now being channeled into vessels and taken to the flow station.
The extent of the damage to the environment might take a while to ascertain, but cleaning up the mess is the bigger challenge.
( Editor, Omor Bazuaye)
