By Rasheeda Hamidu
Oando Plc has attributed the June 27 oil spill from its Azuzuama-1 flowline in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to suspected third-party sabotage following a joint technical investigation.
On Tuesday, the company’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Alero Balogun, disclosed the findings in a statement.
Balogun said the spill occurred along Oando’s four-inch Azuzuama-1 flowline in Azuzuama community on June 27.
She said the company immediately activated its emergency response team to contain the spill in line with regulatory requirements and established response protocols.
According to Balogun, Oando collaborated with the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment and representatives of the host community during the statutory Joint Investigation Visit.
She said the joint effort supported the containment of the spill, repair of the damaged facility and ongoing environmental remediation activities.
Balogun said an Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) test conducted on the affected section of the pipeline indicated evidence consistent with induced corrosion caused by third-party interference, commonly described as sabotage.
She added that the conclusion was affirmed by regulatory authorities that participated in the joint investigation.
According to Balogun, repairs to the damaged section of the flowline were completed on July 19 after stakeholders restored access to the affected site.
She said environmental clean-up and remediation activities were continuing in accordance with applicable environmental standards and regulatory requirements.
Balogun reaffirmed Oando’s commitment to safe and responsible operations, environmental protection and sustained collaboration with regulators and host communities.
NatureNews notes that oil spills threaten aquatic ecosystems, contaminate soil and water resources, reduce biodiversity and undermine the livelihoods of fishing and farming communities in the Niger Delta.
NatureNews reports that prompt remediation, stronger pipeline surveillance and effective collaboration among operators, regulators and host communities remain critical to reducing oil pollution and protecting Nigeria’s fragile coastal environment.