A report has revealed that Nigeria needs $12 billion to tackle the effects of oil spillage in Southern Bayelsa State. The Tuesday report identified two international oil companies, Shell and Eni, for being responsible for most of the pollution. The effects of oil spillage in the state cannot be overemphasised as it has reduced the productivity of the state with negative impacts on the people.
A report of the investigation by Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission which started in 2019 using evidence from forensic scientists, blood samples from people in affected areas and company data has revealed that devastating impacts of the spillage.
The investigation discovered, among other findings, that toxic pollutants from spills and gas flaring were many times higher than the safe limits in samples of soil, water, air, and in the blood of local residents, the commission said.
Part of the findings is that the toxins that cause burns, lung problems and risk of cancer were widespread while oil company-led clean-ups were often poorly executed and could further contaminate soil and groundwater, the commission’s report said.
“The report finds failures of strategy, prevention, response and remediation by oil companies,” it said.
According to Reuters, a spokesperson for Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited said the oil firm was not privy to the final report and could not comment.
An Eni spokesperson said the oil spills were due to theft to feed illegal refineries as well as illegal exports and sabotage but the company undertook to remedy all spills.
Most of the gas produced from Eni’s Nigerian unit was converted into LNG and fed local power plants, the spokesperson said, adding that “Eni conducts its activities according to the sector’s international environmental best practices, without any distinction on a country basis.”
