FG launched investigation into Shell for oil spill in rivers

The Federal Government is now looking into Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) (FG). As a result of an unauthorized connection at the Nonwa-Uedume community axis in the Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, a leak on the Trans Niger Pipeline was discovered.

Mbakpone Okpe, the chairman of the state’s Tai LGA, had expressed concern about illicit oil bunkering activities taking place in several of the local communities.

Following a tip-off, Okpe took security personnel and council representatives to the area, where he revealed the illegal pipeline. Okpe later accused Shell of being insensitive after reporting the issue to the business.

“This discovery cost me money to get the intel (information) and this access. I called them (Shell) to come let us collaborate. It is their asset, not mine.

“I cannot risk my resources and my personnel in discovering this and at the end of the day the owners are not coming forward to take responsibility.

“I will wish they would come so that we can collaborate to clamp it. It is not only discovering it, but also to close it so that it doesn’t recur. Since then, Shell never came. It is part of the problem I have been having with them,” Okpe stated.

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Abimbola Essien-Nelson, the media relations manager for Shell, claimed that the corporation has begun fixing the leaky pipeline in a statement issued in response to the issue.

In the statement, Essien-Nelson claimed that an industry regulator-led Joint Inquiry Team had been dispatched to the illegal connection site to conduct an investigation.

The Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Nonwa-Uedume Community has been reported to have a leak, according to a statement from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.

“A Joint Investigation Team led by industry regulator was immediately sent to visit the illegal connection site for investigation and we are awaiting the signed-off report of the JIV. The illegal connection point on the SPDC joint venture pipeline is also undergoing repairs.

“Meanwhile, SPDC seeks the support of stakeholders including community people to report any illegal activities around SPDC joint venture oil installations to SPDC or relevant government agencies.”