Oregha, an autonomous community of about 2,000 people, in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, has been hit by gas and oil pollution from a pipeline leakage.

Residents of the community, which plays host to two pipelines, told the Renevlyn Development Initiative, RDI, monitors that in the later part of 2023 they started noticing that one of the gas pipelines in the bush was making a whistling noise and spraying gas and sand into the atmosphere.

They had reported the incident to the firm that owns the pipeline, but got no response. Later, the pipeline started oozing black oil that has now found its way to the Orhega River.

Chairman of Oregha Community, Chief Mackson Edeki, who is a fisherman told RDI monitors that after the initial attempt to get the attention of the firm, he continued to observe developments in the environment until he noticed corrosive chemicals in the Oregha River.

He said the locals noticed that there was now bubbling at the same spot that was whistling and spraying sand.

RDI’s position

Reacting to the situation, RDI Executive Director, Philip Jakpor said: “Our team learned that the gas pipeline that is spewing the black oily substance and gas was constructed over 30 years ago, hence its integrity comes to question.

“This incident resembles many others across the Niger Delta where spills occur and are allowed to continue for months, and in some cases years, resulting in major disasters before intervention comes.

“The government at federal and state levels should compel the firm to mobilize to site and stop this environmental assault.”

Locals speak

Obrotobo Goddey, 30-year-old community youth said: “I am a surveyor by profession. In the course of my survey work in one of the bushes we noticed bubbling in a small point.

“That was last year (2023), but now it is happening in the river. The chemical is now entering the river. When I noticed this development I placed a call to the community chairman, who in turn rushed to see and then report to the company. But nothing has happened so far. It is very disturbing.”

Chief Mackson Edeki, Orgegha Community Chairman, added: “There’s no bunkering in this community or anything that will affect pipeline integrity so we are surprised that the leak is not being clamped at this stage.

“When it was whistling we never knew anything else would follow. The black oil leaking from the site of the whistling spot has destroyed our animal traps already. I am a fisherman and I fish in the Oregha River but with this incident escalating we may not be able to fish.”

For Chief Omafume Amurun, Chairman, Community Relations Committee, Uvwie LGA: “We have made every attempt to get the firm to take action before the leak causes a major disaster but to no avail.

“There is apprehension in the community that a fire or any other incident may happen. We are also worried that the spill might engulf the entire Oregha River and affect the livelihoods of local fisherfolk.

“We do not want the situation to degenerate to that hence our outcry that the NGIC should come and clamp the ruptured point.”

RDI lists demands

RDI has made a list of demands to repair the situation:

1. The Federal/Delta State Government and relevant agencies compel the firm to mobilize immediately to clamp the gas leak and black oil spewing into the community farmlands and river.
2. The firm compelled to replace its aged pipes that have the tendency to rupture and cause havoc in the peaceful community
3. The sanction of erring officials of the firm for failing to address the imminent danger of an explosion and other fallouts of the pipeline rupture reported to them.
4. Carry out a comprehensive investigation and environmental audit to ascertain the impact of the leaks on the environment, especially the river
5. Compensate locals who have suffered losses including the destruction of their farmlands and waters
6. The firm strengthens its relationship with the Community Relations Committee (CRC) to ensure seamless communication and addressing of community concerns