Oando gas leak threatens health, livelihoods in Rivers communities – Residents cry out
By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA
For over one year, residents of Oshie and neighbouring Akinima communities have battled the impact of a gas leak from an Oando underwater pipeline that has contaminated their only source of water. Yet daily life continues along the riverbank: children bathe and wash kitchen utensils; women soak cassava for fufu; fishermen cast their nets — all in what residents fear may be slowly poisoning them.
“We are really worried. After drinking the water, both children and adults feel sickly. This is our experience. We are resorting to buying sachet water now. Ordinarily, water from the river was blessed water which God gave us. But now we cannot drink it.”
Those were the painful words of 59-year-old Mrs Ngozi Ididie, an indigene of Oshie community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, as she stood helplessly by the Orashi River — the same river that once sustained her people.
A recent visit to the riverside enclave revealed a disturbing scene that threatens the lives of thousands of residents. Pipes and excavated areas were observed, particularly on the Oshie side, suggesting that fresh pipelines may be laid or old ones replaced. Some old pipelines were also seen lying on the surface, unburied.
At a point about 80 metres from the bank, the river bubbles continuously — a visible sign of the leak beneath. A thin film of hydrocarbon floats on the surface, even as sacks of fermenting cassava sit half-submerged at the waterfront.
The communities’ repeated pleas, residents lamented, appear to have fallen on deaf ears, with the oil company allegedly unresponsive to their plight. For over one year, the leakage has continued to pollute the river, leading to reported cases of gastroenteritis, skin rashes, and other health challenges among the people.
The Paramount Ruler of Oshie community, His Royal Highness Patrick Miller, expressed deep frustration over what he described as prolonged neglect.
He said: “The gas leakage in the river has been there for over a year. We informed the Nigerian Agip Oil Company when they were in charge. And now Oando is on board. Nothing has been done. This gas has been bubbling, leaking into our water.
“The hazards we are facing are many. Orashi River is our only source of drinking water. Our women soak cassava in that water for our survival. As they pound the cassava, it used to be very white. But since this incident, when they soak and pound it, it becomes black and useless.
“That’s where we fish for our livelihood. Our fishermen don’t catch fish as they used to before. Once in a while, you see dead fish floating on the river. This thing is affecting our livelihood. Our health is affected; we have talked, and nobody cares to listen to us.”
He continued: “There have been a lot of complaints about gastroenteritis; people complain of vomiting and stooling unexpectedly. We don’t know where it is coming from. There are also many cases of skin rashes in my community, which were not common before, because we bathe in the river. We are worried. Something has to be done.
“They should come and provide portable water for the affected communities and pay compensation, because we have spent a lot of money on medication, buying fish and sachet water. That is our stand for today.”
President of the Engenni Youth Assembly, Onem Okenya, on his part, accused the company of ignoring the plight of the people.
He said: “Oando has feigned ignorance of what is happening here. They have other facilities in Okordia and Zarama in Bayelsa State, and they access those facilities through this road. So we believe they are fully aware of what is happening here. But to our surprise, they have not shown any commitment to ensuring this is stopped.
“We are calling on the company to quickly swing into action and ensure that they put a stop to this genocide. I also want to draw their attention to the fact that this is the main source of drinking water that the entire Engenni Kingdom depends on.
“There is hydrocarbon pollution in this water, and we know the consequences of consuming such water. Benzene is a cancerous substance. Our women are drinking from this water, our children are bathing in it, and our men, who are fisherfolk, can no longer catch fish as before because of this pollution.”
Continuing in her lamentation, one of the women in the community, Mrs Queen Jacob, a mother of four, said the reality had become unbearable.
She said: “This river is where we bathe and fetch water to drink. We also soak our cassava in the river and catch fish. But due to the current leakage, we cannot catch fish, and when you bathe in the river, it leads to itching of the body.”
Environmental advocates also lent their voices to the outcry.
The Environmental Defenders Network, EDEN, through its Deputy Executive Director, Mr Alagoa Morris, who led a team to the affected communities, called for urgent intervention.
He said: “The government should provide support to the affected communities and ensure access to clean water and healthcare services. Oando should compensate the affected communities for the damage caused to their environment and livelihoods.”
He also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, and the Federal Ministry of Environment to act swiftly. While operators of the facility could not be reached for comment, the people of Oshie and Akinima communities continue to live between thirst and fear, hoping their cries will finally be heard.
