YENAGOA- Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, an environmental pressure group has reported that there is an ongoing oil leak from Shell’s Adibawa Well 8 in Edagberi community of Rivers State.

A statement, yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by Mr Alagoa Morris, Head of Field Operations, ERA, said the incident occurred on July 12.

“When we, ERA heard about a fresh oil spill in the community at 9a.m., July 12, 2015, efforts were made to confirm it. After confirmation was received; field monitors of ERA moblised to the site, led by a community leader.

“On getting to the current spill environment; some Shell personnel and some men on military uniform were seen on the tarred road near the facility while the crude oil continued to spew,” the statement stated.

The statement quoted Mr Sunny Ubele, the paramount ruler of Edagberi community as saying that the management of Shell had dispatched personnel for evaluation.

“Yes, I am aware there is a fresh oil spill in our environment; Shell came to inform us. They were unable to stop it yesterday and they are expected to be back to the site this morning and I hope they will contain the situation. Surely, unless effort is made immediately to stop the spill, recover the spilled crude oil and clean-up; the environment is bound to suffer again,” the statement quoted Ubele as saying.

However, Joseph Obari, a spokesman of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, in a statement confirmed the oil leakage.

“SPDC regrets the delay to an investigation of a leak at Adibawa- Well 8 in — the Eastern Niger Delta. A suspected attempt to steal the wellhead led to a spill. SPDC received reports of the incident on July 12 and took containment measures,” he said.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/group-reports-oil-leak-from-shells-adibawa-oil-well-8/#sthash.13jcuITv.dpuf

Tecdani