Environmental concerns are mounting in Azuzuama community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, as Oando is yet to officially determine the cause of an oil spill more than two weeks after the incident occurred.
The spill, on an Oando pipeline, is believed to be the first reported incident since the company acquired the asset from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).
According to the Environmental Conservation Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD), Oando, government regulators and community representatives have visited the site three times.
ECARD said the affected section of the pipeline was excavated, exposed and examined during the inspections.
However, the organisation said no official Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report has identified the cause of the spill.
Residents of the community reportedly believe the spill resulted from equipment failure, although regulators have yet to confirm that conclusion.
It also raised concerns about a suspected underwater leak at another location within the affected area, warning that it could worsen the environmental damage.
Community leaders, including Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman, Pere Angasei, and vice chairman, Uyabara, expressed frustration over the delay in determining the cause of the spill.
They said residents remain patient, but are worried as crude oil continues to spread through mangrove swamps, threatening biodiversity and local livelihoods.
The leaders urged Oando and relevant regulatory agencies to return promptly, conclude their investigations and commence effective remediation.
The incident has revived painful memories of the 2015 Azuzuama pipeline tragedy.
In July 2015, 14 people, including officials of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, were killed in a pipeline explosion during a joint investigation visit.
The victims had gathered to investigate an oil spill, when the explosion occurred, making it one of Nigeria’s deadliest oil spill investigation disasters.
ECARD’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Alagoa Morris, said the organisation will provide further updates as investigations continue.