Fishing communities across several communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State are counting their losses following a massive oil spill attributed to a damaged pipeline operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
Residents say the spill has blackened the creeks and rivers they depend on for fishing and drinking water, threatening their primary source of livelihood.
Community leader Chief Amapreye Amboki told Naija Delta Voice: "We have reported this spill for weeks. Our fish are dying, our water is poisoned, and our children cannot even bathe in the river anymore. Nobody is coming to help us."
SPDC has confirmed awareness of the incident and says a joint investigation with government officials is underway. Environmental groups, however, say cleanup operations are inadequate and have called for immediate emergency intervention.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) is expected to visit the affected communities within the week to assess the environmental damage.
