Underwater pipeline leaks crude in Bayelsa communities 

Residents of Nembe communities of Okpoama and Ikensi in Brass and Nembe Local Government Areas have raised the alarm over a fresh oil leak from an underwater pipeline at the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 oilfields, warning that crude is still gushing into their waterways with no cleanup crew in sight.

The leak, detected early Thursday morning around 6:45 am. near the Ikensi community, has triggered fears of widespread ecological catastrophe and the collapse of fishing-based livelihoods that sustain thousands of families.

Relaying on accounts from residents who first spotted the discharge,  a community Chief from Opu Nembe, Chief Clarkson Obiakpa, said: “Crude oil is still flowing into our waterways. No response team has arrived.

“Our rivers, fishing grounds, and drinking sources are already being affected. We are deeply concerned about our survival and livelihood.”

The operator of OML 29,  Nembe Exploration and Production Limited, formerly Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company, has been contacted, and a company public affairs official confirmed that an official statement is being prepared. 

But as of Thursday evening, no emergency response had been deployed to contain the ongoing spill, according to community sources.

This latest incident follows closely on the heels of a marine vessel spill along the Atlantic coastline that recently hit Okpoama, Diema, and Twon-Brass in neighboring Brass LGA. 

In that event, large volumes of crude escaped into surrounding waters during a ship-to-tanker transshipment operation.

Also, Chief Edwin Otiete-Goli, a community leader,  said: “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.”

OML 29 was acquired in 2015 by Aiteo following a divestment by Shell Petroleum Development Company. 

The acquisition included the 97-kilometer Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL), which the new operator later abandoned due to rampant oil theft and vandalism.

Since then, the company has relied on barges and small vessels to move crude to a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel for export, an interim plan that local leaders say has been plagued by frequent operational leaks during crude transloading.

No official statement from the oil firm or the national oil spill regulator had been released as of press time. Both entities confirmed the incident but said they were working on a formal response.