The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has launched an investigation into a crude oil spill from Shell’s 16-inch Nun River-Kolo Creek pipeline in Bayelsa State.
Chukwuemeka Woke, NOSDRA’s director-general, confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the agency received a report of the incident on Monday and initiated a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to determine the cause of the leak.
The spill, which has contaminated the River Nun and affected communities in Obololi, remains under scrutiny as the exact cause of the leak is still undetermined.
Woke explained that the suspected leak point is submerged in water, complicating efforts to identify the source.
“The JIV, led by NOSDRA, includes stakeholders such as the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), the Bayelsa Ministry of Environment, and representatives of the affected community to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the spill,” Woke stated. “The investigation will help determine necessary regulatory compliance actions to mitigate its impact.”
Efforts to contain the spill are already underway.
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According to Woke, SPDC is preparing a cofferdam to access the spill point, while temporary storage tanks are being deployed to aid crude recovery, which is scheduled to commence on Friday.
NOSDRA has assured continuous monitoring of the situation to ensure appropriate response measures are implemented.
Meanwhile, Target Segibo, chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, visited the affected areas and pledged to provide alternative water sources for the impacted communities, as the spill has polluted their primary water supply, the River Nun.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns over oil spills in the Niger Delta and the need for stringent environmental safeguards to protect local communities.