SPDC Pipeline Leakage Causes Stir In Rivers Community

Last weekend, residents of the Rumuesara community in Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State raised the alarm over the dreadful sight of an unexpected oil spillage at the pipeline facility owned by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.
The spill which occurred in the pipeline facility of SPDC situated at Rumuesera Community along Eneka-Igwuruta road attracted the attention of both residents and passersby.
The SPDC and agencies responsible for hazard control arrived the scene and first cordoned off the area to prevent trespass and possible hazards, while ensuring that the leakage was contained.
Speaking with TNN on the incident, the community development committee chairman, Bestman Worlu who urged residents in the area to vacate the scene to avert casualties expressed concern over the spillage.
According to him, “this spill is capable of wiping out a whole community, it’s very sad. I wouldn’t want to throw stones but people should desist from pipeline vandalism. SPDC also should, on regular basis, monitor their facilities.
“This is very damaging to health, our farm lands, crops, and it’s entirely against humanity and posses great danger to lives and properties coupled with the loss the company will incur.”
Worlu while affirming his administration’s readiness to combat insecurity and drive actionable programmes and policies which is in the interest of the clan, also used the medium to sensitize residents on the implication associated with crime such as oil theft.
The chairman also sympathized with residents of the affected community, Rumuesara and the owners of the affected facility over the level of damage recorded even as he commended the SPDC and the security agencies for their prompt arrival to the scene of the damaged facility.
He also called on the residents of the affected community to stay off the spillage scene to avert possible record of casualty or its kind.
“The spillage was very dreadful and indeed scary to behold, following the high pressure of the spillage. We appeal to residents to stay off the scene to avert any form of casualties.”
Meanwhile, the chairman during the first congress of his administration held at the last day of November in the Eneka Civic Centre called on both residents and indigenes of the clan to key into the programmes and policies of his administration even as he maintained that community building remained a collective responsibility.