Oil spill from Shell manifold destroys source of drinking water in communities in Rivers

indication has emerged that some under ground water of families in Omuobizu, Omkpoba and Mgbere Communities of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, has been destroyed by spillage from the manifold operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC in the area. It was learnt that the said oil facility had had major underground spillage sometime in 2014 and that SPDC discovered the development only when the crude has already taken over the underground water. The spill had already drained and destroyed the entire underground water in Omuobizu and Mgbere since 2015, and is suspected to have spread to the other parts of Ibaa and Obele Clan.

Speaking on the development, Princewill Chukwure, from Chukwure’s family, Omuobizu, said that the spillage has destroyed their wells, adding that the people drinking contaminated water. Princewill narrated: “Sometime on the 15th January, while we were fetching water from our well, we discovered some black substance on the surface of the water.

“On close examination, we found out it was crude. We tried to use light, it was inflammable. What we did was to contact Shell in writing. We also contacted NOSDRA, they came took sample and never came back with the report. Till date that report has not been made available to us. In 2018, after much efforts, they came and drilled a borehole for us, but as I talk to you that one has also been contaminated. This crude is also found in a well in Uvuahwu Comprehensive High School. Shell has secretly closed that very well too. We don’t have source of water to drink again. We are also living the same polluted environment.

“Shell has been avoiding to talk to us. They come with military to do their excavation. They have refused to talk to anybody about it.” He called on the state and the federal government for intervention, adding that volume of crude in their water and stench in the air is affecting the health of the residents of the area.